Kenya officials opens Jeddah Consulate
The move aligns with President William Ruto’s directive to expand Kenya’s diplomatic presence in strategic global locations and enhance services for citizens abroad.
Kenya has officially inaugurated the Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking a major step in increasing diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.
In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA) said the move aligns with President William Ruto’s directive to expand Kenya’s diplomatic presence in strategic global locations and enhance services for citizens abroad.
“The establishment of the Consulate is aligned to His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto’s directive on strengthening Kenya’s diplomatic footprint in strategic locations, in line with the country’s Foreign Policy and commitment to enhancing service delivery to citizens abroad,” the ministry stated.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oe who presided over the inauguration, hailed the Consulate’s opening as a significant step towards improving Kenya’s commerce, investment, labour, tourism, education, and cultural interaction with Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by Fareed Al-Sheihri, Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia (Makkah Region).
The consulate opened its doors in March 2024 and aims to provide consular and diaspora affairs for Kenyans in Jeddah and surrounding areas. Jeddah is the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia and a major transit point for Muslim pilgrims travelling to the sacred cities of Makkah and Madina.
The Consulate will complement the work of the Kenya Embassy in Riyadh, extending consular and diplomatic services to Kenyan citizens residing in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, and surrounding areas.
The opening of the Consulate came after calls from Muslim leaders to President William Ruto to open the diplomatic mission to facilitate pilgrimage matters of Kenyan pilgrims, as the distance between the city and the capital, Riyadh is more than 1,000 kilometres.
During the inauguration, the Consulate’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan was also launched. The plan outlines its focus on effective diplomacy, accountability, and advancing Kenya’s national interests while promoting mutual prosperity. Sing’Oei said the plan aims to deliver practical results for Kenyans in the Kingdom, including workers who need labour and welfare support.
The PS also commended the Kenyan community in Saudi Arabia for their discipline and positive representation of the country.
Other dignitaries in attendance at the event included Joseph Masila, Kenya’s Ambassador-Designate to Saudi Arabia, Aden Mohammed, the Consul General in Jeddah, Mohammed Ruwange, the outgoing Ambassador in Riyadh, members of the diplomatic corps, and Kenyans residing in Saudi Arabia.