The Congolese ambassador to Kenya, John Nyakeru Kalunga, has returned to his post in Nairobi after being recalled months ago amidst heightened tensions between Nairobi and Kinshasa. Photo: Handout

The Congolese ambassador, John Nyakeru Kalunga, has returned to Nairobi after months away due to tensions.

Nyakeru, appointed as the DRC’s Ambassador to Kenya by President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in May 2022, presented his credentials to former President Uhuru Kenyatta the same month.

Relations between Kenya and the DRC have been strained since the departure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was highly regarded by Congolese authorities.

His successor, William Ruto, faces challenges balancing relations between Nairobi, Kinshasa, and Kigali.

Ruto recently aligned himself publicly with Rwandan President Paul Kagame for the first time regarding the conflict in eastern Congo.

In a late May interview with Jeune Afrique, Ruto emphasized that M23 rebels are Congolese and therefore a matter for Kinshasa, questioning the blame on Rwanda for their activities.

Kenya’s exports to the DRC surged by 56.04 percent to Sh8.62 billion in the first quarter of 2024, marking the highest year-on-year growth in over a decade.

This increase is largely attributed to a reduction in wheat import duties from 35 to 10 percent implemented in July last year, indicating thriving business despite regional tensions.