Concerns are mounting within Kenya’s foreign service over the leadership style of Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei, with senior diplomats accusing him of arrogance, intimidation, and weakening the country’s traditionally cautious diplomatic posture.
According to a report by a local publication, the criticism reached a peak during the 19th Ambassadors’ Conference held in Nairobi last month, where multiple envoys openly expressed frustration over what they described as a hostile and dismissive working environment at headquarters.
The meeting, normally a routine coordination forum, instead exposed deep divisions within the ministry.
One of the most cited incidents involved Kenya’s ambassador to Botswana, Sabdiyo Dido Basuna, who was reportedly reduced to tears after Sing’oei publicly questioned the strategic value of her mission.
Witnesses described the exchange as humiliating, with diplomats saying she declined to comment further on the matter afterwards.
Several envoys say such incidents are part of a broader pattern of intimidation, with missions complaining of delayed funding, poor working conditions, and communication breakdowns with headquarters.
According to sources, some diplomatic posts go weeks without clear guidance, leaving officers uncertain about policy direction.
Tensions have also spilled into Kenya’s external relations. On April 1, Sing’oei referenced a phone call with a United Arab Emirates official and described alleged “unjustified attacks” on Gulf infrastructure linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The statement drew swift criticism, with Iran’s Embassy in Nairobi accusing him of mischaracterising the situation and ignoring key aspects of international law.
Diplomatic observers warned the remarks could expose Kenyan interests to unintended risks in sensitive maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy and trade flows.
This is not the first time the PS has faced controversy. In February 2025, he issued a public apology after sharing a manipulated CNN-branded video falsely suggesting praise for Kenya’s role in Sudan peace efforts.
He later drew criticism for comments comparing Kenyan police unfavourably to Dutch law enforcement, a move seen as straying into domestic policy debate.
Legal expert Fred Limo noted that modern diplomacy leaves little room for informal expression. “In diplomacy, tone is substance. A tweet can be read as policy,” he said.
Despite the backlash, Sing’oei maintains that Kenya remains non-aligned and focused on national interests, describing his team as professional, proactive, and protective of the country’s global standing.
However, critics argue the current leadership approach risks undermining Kenya’s long-standing reputation for balanced and measured diplomacy.