THE FOREIGN SERVICE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Career Diplomat Quota Set at 70%
The Bill replaces section 20(3) of the Foreign Service Act to mandate that presidential nominations for high commissioners, ambassadors, and permanent representatives consist of:
- Not more than seventy per cent career diplomats.
- Not more than thirty per cent non-career diplomats.
Strict Ten-Year Service Definition
The Bill amends section 2 of the Act to define a "career diplomat" as an officer eligible for appointment as a high commissioner, ambassador, diplomatic, or consular representative who has served within the Ministry for at least ten years.
Mandatory Diversity Standards
All presidential nominations for diplomatic postings must explicitly reflect the gender, regional, and other diversities of the people of Kenya.
Bill No.
No. 24 of 2026
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 110
Sponsor
Charles Nguna Ngusya
Background
The Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Hon. Charles Nguna Ngusya, MP, seeks to reform the composition of Kenya's diplomatic representation abroad. The Bill aligns with Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025 on the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kenya, which recommends a progressive shift toward a professionalized foreign service by drawing the bulk of high commissioners, ambassadors, and consular representatives from career diplomats rather than political appointees.
Key Amendments
Amendment of Section 2 (Interpretation)
The Bill modifies the definition of "career diplomat" to insert a minimum service requirement. To qualify as a career diplomat under the amended Act, an officer must have served within the Ministry for a minimum of ten years.
Amendment of Section 20 (Nominations)
The Bill deletes the existing subsection (3) of section 20 of the Principal Act and substitutes it with a structured framework for presidential nominations. The new subsection (3) mandates that diplomatic nominations reflect:
- A composition of career and non-career diplomats, where career diplomats make up not more than seventy per cent and non-career diplomats make up not more than thirty per cent of the total appointments.
- The gender, regional, and other diversities of the people of Kenya.
New Obligations
When nominating heads of missions for parliamentary approval, the President is legally obligated to adhere to the 70:30 ratio between career and non-career diplomats. The nominating authority must also ensure and demonstrate that the selection meets national diversity criteria, representing regional balance, gender equity, and other marginalized groups of the Kenyan population.
Gazettement
The Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was published in the Kenya Gazette No. 110 on 5 May 2026 with a maturity date of 18 May 2026.
Gazettement
The Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was published in the Kenya Gazette No. 110 on 5 May 2026 with a maturity date of 18 May 2026.
First Reading
The Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Hon. Charles Ngusya, MP, was read a First Time in the National Assembly and introduced for consideration.
First Reading
The Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Hon. Charles Ngusya, MP, was read a First Time in the National Assembly and introduced for consideration.