President William Ruto has reshuffled several diplomatic postings, transferring Deputy High Commissioner to London Joseph Warui to Moscow while appointing former Wajir MP Elias Bare Shill as Deputy Ambassador to Mogadishu, Mohamed Nur Hussein as Deputy Ambassador to Tanzania and Frank Ole Kibelekenya as Ambassador to Denmark.
The changes, announced through a Gazette notice dated December 20, 2025, come as Kenya seeks to deepen relations with key partners in Europe, the Horn of Africa and East Africa.
Joseph Warui, who has served as Deputy High Commissioner in London since 2022, will now take up the role of Deputy Ambassador in Moscow. Warui, a career diplomat with over 20 years of service, previously held senior positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at missions in Washington DC and Pretoria.
The move to Moscow is seen as part of Kenya’s efforts to strengthen ties with Russia amid growing economic and security cooperation. Kenya has maintained balanced relations with Moscow despite Western pressure following the Ukraine conflict, with bilateral trade increasing by 18 percent in 2025, driven by fertiliser imports and energy discussions.
Former Wajir MP Elias Bare Shill has been named Deputy Ambassador to Mogadishu, Somalia. Shill, who served as MP for Wajir East from 2013 to 2017, brings political experience to the mission at a time when Kenya is deepening security and economic engagement with Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia framework.
Shill’s appointment follows Kenya’s push to consolidate influence in Mogadishu after the recent normalisation of diplomatic relations and increased trade. “Somalia is a critical neighbour, and this posting reflects our commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation,” a Foreign Affairs official said on condition of anonymity.
Mohamed Nur Hussein has been appointed Deputy Ambassador to Tanzania. Hussein, a seasoned diplomat with previous postings in Addis Ababa and Geneva, will support efforts to enhance East African Community integration and resolve long-standing maritime boundary issues.
Frank Ole Kibelekenya has been named Kenya’s Ambassador to Denmark. Kibelekenya, a former diplomat with experience in multilateral affairs, is expected to focus on deepening trade, climate cooperation and development partnerships with Copenhagen.
The appointments come amid ongoing restructuring at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the March 2025 MoU between ODM and Kenya Kwanza, which saw several opposition figures appointed to diplomatic roles.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei described the changes as routine but strategic. “These postings reflect Kenya’s dynamic foreign policy priorities,” Sing’oei said. “We are strengthening ties with traditional partners while expanding engagement with emerging ones.”
The moves have drawn mixed reactions. Opposition figures questioned the timing. “While we support competent diplomats, these appointments appear to reward political loyalty rather than merit,” said an Azimio-aligned MP who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Amina Mohamed praised the selections. “Warui, Shill, Hussein and Kibelekenya are capable professionals,” she said. “They will represent Kenya effectively in these important capitals.”
The new envoys are expected to present their credentials in the coming months, with Warui’s transfer to Moscow seen as particularly significant given Kenya’s balancing act between Western and Eastern powers.
