Kenyans in Switzerland Given November 30 Deadline to Collect Documents Before Embassy Closure

Kenyans living in Switzerland have until November 30 to collect processed documents from the Kenyan Embassy in Bern before the mission permanently closes its doors.

The closure ends the operations of the Consular Section and brings Kenya’s diplomatic presence in Bern to a close after six years. Kenya formally established its diplomatic representation in the Swiss capital on April 2, 2020.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the move as part of a wider government initiative to restructure the country's diplomatic footprint globally. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei confirmed the development on Tuesday, explaining that the rationalisation process would involve shutting down select missions while opening new ones aligned with Kenya's strategic priorities.

"This is part of the ongoing rationalisation of Kenya's diplomatic footprint globally, involving closing some missions and opening new ones in the furtherance of our strategic priorities as a country," Sing'Oei said.

Sing'oei assured citizens abroad that the restructuring would not disrupt their access to essential public services.

"Kenyans will continue to receive proximate services despite this rationalisation process," he said, adding that the government would release a comprehensive statement outlining the changes.

In a public notice issued on November 9, the Bern embassy instructed clients who have received notifications to pick up their processed documents before the November 30 deadline. Applicants must present valid identification documents along with their application receipts.

The embassy said that clients who submitted applications from November 1 will be contacted separately with details on how to receive their completed documents.

The government has yet to reveal which diplomatic mission will take over consular responsibilities for Switzerland or how urgent services will be handled after the shutdown. Kenya maintains a separate diplomatic mission in Geneva accredited to the United Nations, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not indicated whether Geneva will absorb the Bern mission's workload.

Information regarding alternative consular arrangements will be posted on the embassy’s website and official communication channels in due course. The government has also not disclosed the criteria guiding the mission closures, the financial details of the restructuring, or the total number of foreign outposts affected.

The embassy expressed its appreciation to the Kenyan community in Switzerland, its partners, and clients for their cooperation since the mission's inception.