Ruto Approves New Ambassadorial Reassignments to Uganda and Belgium

President William Ruto has approved new foreign service reassignments to fill ambassadorial positions left vacant after the end of previous terms.

The changes were announced on Wednesday through the Executive Office of the President and confirmed in a directive signed by the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei. Ambassador Ababu Namwamba has been appointed High Commissioner to Uganda, while Ambassador Joash Maangi will serve as Ambassador to Belgium and Kenya’s representative to the European Union. Both appointments take effect immediately.

According to Koskei, the reassignments follow the routine completion of service by senior envoys. He said the President had sanctioned the changes to ensure continuity in Kenya’s diplomatic representation.

The appointments come a day after President Ruto deployed a wider group of ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general to missions abroad. Speaking to the envoys at State House, he described diplomatic service as a high responsibility and urged them to advance Kenya’s national interests, values and policy objectives.

The President underscored the government’s focus on economic diplomacy, directing envoys to prioritise trade, investment and development partnerships. He linked their mandate to key initiatives such as the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund, which are intended to support growth, job creation and long-term economic stability.

Ahead of the deployments, newly appointed envoys attended a preparatory luncheon hosted on 17 January by the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei. He highlighted the need for experienced diplomatic leadership amid global uncertainty and the importance of protecting Kenya’s strategic interests.

Uganda remains a key partner in regional cooperation within East Africa, while Brussels is central to engagement with European political and economic institutions. The government views the two postings as strategically significant to its regional and international priorities.