Ambassador Diana Kiambuthi, who previously served as Kenya’s envoy to the Nordic countries based in Sweden, is pictured at an event at her Stockholm station. She now heads the Europe and Commonwealth Division. Photo: State House, Kenya

The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs underwent a significant internal staff deployment in early July, resulting in senior officials being reshuffled or demoted.

Among the notable changes announced by Principal Secretary Sing’oei Korir, June Ruto, who has served since 2014 and held the position of Director for Foreign Service, was seconded to the National Defence College as a student.

She previously served as a protocol officer at State House, Kenya.

Formerly the Director General of Political and Diplomatic Affairs (the third in command at the foreign office), Moi Lemoshira was recently appointed as the ambassador-designate to Tokyo, Japan.

He will be succeeded by Eliphas Barine, the former Kenyan ambassador to Accra, Ghana, who returned to Headquarters to lead the directorate overseeing the country’s foreign policy.

Lucy Kiruthu, a career diplomat, assumes the role of Deputy Director General, Head of Policy, Research, and Strategic Analysis under Barine, the new Director General.

Njambi Kinyungu, Kenya’s current chargé d’affaires at the UN mission in New York, has been recalled to head the multilateral affairs directorate as Deputy Director General, with Beatrice Mucheru Muthigani serving as her deputy.

Anastacia Nerima Osundwa leads the UN and International Organization division, while Tobias Ogweno heads the Climate Change and Environment division.

Humphrey Rutto, an assistant director at the ministry, will oversee the Candidatures division.

Dennis Gathogo Mburu will lead the Africa Affairs Directorate, with Wario Kuduba Guyo as Deputy.

Katana Angore heads the Africa Union, Regional, and Continental Organisation Directorate after his recall from Algeria. James Kiiru has been redeployed to the East African Community and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region division, supported by Peter Mwanzala as Deputy.

Lenah Nyambu oversees the Peace and Security division, with Dr. Roselyn Anjalo as Deputy. Diana Kiambuthi, recalled from the Nordics with a station in Sweden, takes over the Europe Division from Rose Makena, who now heads the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Directorate as Deputy Director General.

Josphat Maikara will manage the Americas and Caribbean Directorate, while Abdishakur Sheikh Noor serves as Acting Deputy Director General for the Middle East Directorate. Jane Makori leads the Asia and the Pacific Directorate, and Rosemary Anyona heads the Cultural Diplomacy Directorate.

Joseph Masila heads the Economic Affairs and Commercial Diplomacy Directorate.

Jackline Yonga, former Kenyan ambassador to Italy, oversees the Parliamentary and County Liaison Affairs Directorate. Jacob Nyakundi Ondari leads the Legal and Host Country Affairs Directorate, with Nicholas Mutuku heading the Registry of Treaties.

Henry Ouna Wambuna assumes the role of Acting Chief of Protocol, succeeding Peter Mwendwa, former Consul General at the Kenyan Dubai consulate, whose current status with the spy agency remains unclear.

Severine Luyali heads State Protocol, and George Kwanya, recalled from Addis Ababa, leads the International Conferences and Events Directorate. Paul Kamweru Ndungu oversees the Foreign Service Academy.