Irish Embassy in Kenya reopens

Ireland's Ambassador to Kenya, Vincent O' Neill, presents his credentials to President Kenyatta

The Irish Embassy in Kenya has re-opened following an absence of 26 years. The new Embassy brings to 10 the number of Irish Embassies in sub Saharan Africa

Ireland’s new Embassy in Kenya will provide Consular Services for Irish citizens, support development programmes funded through Irish Aid, provide information and support to Irish businesses in Kenya, promote Ireland’s culture and interests in Kenya, and represent Ireland at key political meetings and events.

The new Embassy will establish development activities in Kenya in 2015, with a focus on agriculture and intellectual exchanges between our two countries.  Irish Aid already has a strong footprint in Kenya, through a range of development, humanitarian, human rights, governance and gender empowerment projects. 

Various Irish non-governmental organisations have established programmes in Kenya through Irish Aid funding. These include Goal, Trócaire, Friends of Londiani, Aidlink, the Irish Fairtrade Network, Gorta/Self Help Africa and Value Added in Africa. Misean Cara have also continued the proud Irish missionary tradition in Kenya, with support to up to 22 missionary organisations working on health and education provision, human rights, child protection and social justice issues.

Ambassador O' Neill visits coffee farm in Nyeri which benefits from Irish Fairtrade Network support.

Irish Aid has also supported various international non-governmental organisations in Kenya, including Action Aid, with a project to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, and World Vision to address mother and child welfare.  Specialist organisations such as Front Line Defenders support human rights defenders and activists, and Minority Rights Group International work to secure human rights of minorities and indigenous peoples. 

The re-opening of the Embassy will build on Ireland’s longstanding relationship with Kenya, dating back over 100 years.

In more recent years, many Irish businesses have recognised the opportunities for strengthening trading relationships with Kenya – and for using their presence in Kenya as an entry point to other countries in the region. Some Kenyan companies have also commenced trading with Ireland.The re-opening of the Embassy will build on Ireland’s longstanding relationship with Kenya, dating back over 100 years.

The re-opening of the Embassy will build on Ireland’s longstanding relationship with Kenya, dating back over 100 years, and will foster many new partnerships in the coming years.

Learn more about Ireland’s support to civil society organisations and missionary organisations in Africa.