Congolese envoy to Kenya, John Nyakeru, ends his two-year tour of duty, just weeks after returning to Nairobi from a diplomatic recall. Photo: Handout

The Congolese ambassador to Kenya, John Nyakeru Kalunga, has concluded his tenure just weeks after returning to Nairobi following an extended absence due to diplomatic tensions.

Nyakeru, who is the brother of the Congolese First Lady, was appointed by President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in May 2022.

He presented his credentials to then-President Uhuru Kenyatta that same month. After serving for only two years, Nyakeru was bid farewell by Kenya’s top diplomat, Musalia Mudavadi, at his Railways office on Friday.

In a post on X, Musalia’s office stated, “The Prime Cabinet Secretary commended Ambassador Nyakeru John for the successful completion of his tour of duty in Kenya.”

“He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to continuing close cooperation with the Democratic Republic of Congo to strengthen the relations between the two nations.”

David Tshibanju will oversee the Congolese mission in Nairobi as the charge’ d’affaires until a new ambassador is appointed.

The reasons for the envoy’s early departure, after just two years instead of the usual four, remain unclear.

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.

A recent United Nations report suggests that Kenya, along with Uganda and Rwanda, may have either directly supported the M23 rebels, who are fighting the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), or maintained affiliations with the group.

The report, which was reviewed by KFP, comes amid escalating clashes in eastern Congo, raising fears of a potential all-out war.

In December 2023, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) politico-military movement was launched at Nairobi’s Serena Hotel.

The report states, “On 15 December 2023, several days before the general elections of 20 December 2023, Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, former head of DRC’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), launched a politico-military movement named Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) during a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya.”

Evidence later revealed that the movement, led by former Congolese electoral body chief Corneille Nangaa, engaged in negotiations with the M23 as part of a strategy to “legitimise” it.

This movement aimed to overthrow President Felix Tshisekedi’s government.

The report suggests that unnamed prominent Kenyan figures supported the establishment of AFC, contributing to heightened tensions between Nairobi and Kinshasa.

Bertrand Bisimwa, the political leader of M23, stood alongside Nangaa at Serena Hotel during the launch, confirming the alliance between M23 and AFC, much to the displeasure of Kinshasa.

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.