Ruto receives credentials from 9 new envoys to Kenya

President William Ruto on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, received credentials from nine newly appointed envoys to Kenya during a ceremony at State House, Nairobi.

The envoys represent Thailand, Brazil, Nigeria, Cyprus, Belgium, Austria, the European Union, South Sudan and France.

They are Jirusaya Birananda of Thailand, Joao Alfredo Fo Anjos of Brazil, Ibrahim Danlami of Nigeria, Nicholas Manolis of Cyprus and Tom Neijens of Belgium.

The others are Simone Knapp of Austria, Andreas Peschke of the European Union, Simon Juach Deng Juach of South Sudan and Wadid Benaabou of France.

Ruto said Kenya was continuing to engage other countries as it seeks to expand its diplomatic network and strengthen cooperation with international partners.

“We are actively engaging with other countries, consolidating and expanding our diplomatic networks, geared towards our shared prosperity,” Ruto said.

The presentation of credentials is a formal diplomatic process through which newly appointed envoys are accredited to their host country. It allows them to formally begin carrying out their diplomatic responsibilities.

The arrival of the nine envoys comes as Kenya continues to pursue stronger relations with countries and international organisations in areas such as trade, investment, development cooperation and people-to-people ties.

New envoys begin missions

Birananda had already presented copies of her credentials and the former ambassador’s letter of recall to Kenya’s Chief of Protocol, Severine Luyali, in July 2026.

The Thai embassy said the July 2026 meeting also covered preparations for the formal presentation of credentials to the President. Birananda is also Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations offices in Nairobi.

Thailand and Kenya are also preparing to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2027. Areas identified for closer cooperation include agriculture, trade and investment, health, tourism, education, culture, the blue economy and maritime cooperation.

The new envoys also include Peschke, who recently arrived in Nairobi as the European Union’s Ambassador-designate to Kenya. The EU delegation said he would present his credentials to Ruto after arriving in the capital on August 26, 2026. Peschke previously served as Germany’s ambassador to Kenya, Somalia and Seychelles.

Benaabou is the new French Ambassador-designate to Kenya, succeeding Arnaud Suquet. France appointed him Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Kenya through a presidential decree dated August 7, 2026.

Benaabou announced the start of his mission in Nairobi on Monday and said he was honoured to represent France in Kenya.

“France and Kenya share a strong partnership rooted in friendship and a shared ambition for the future,” Benaabou said.

He added: “I look forward to working closely with our Kenyan partners.”

The presentation of credentials by the nine envoys marks the start of their formal diplomatic assignments in Kenya as they take up their responsibilities in Nairobi.