East African and African national flags displayed at a diplomatic venue

Dr Eric Irungu - international relations and diplomacy expert

Questions are increasingly being raised about Kenya’s diplomatic conduct following an uncomfortable moment between President William Ruto and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan over a proposed oil refinery project in Tanga. What was intended to project regional economic cooperation instead exposed what analysts now describe as weakening consultation structures in Kenya’s foreign engagements and a drift away from traditional diplomatic practice commonly referred to as Track One diplomacy. The incident unfolded during the Kenya-Tanzania Business Forum at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam earlier this week. President Ruto had earlier spoken about plans for a multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, a project perceived as part of wider East African economic integration efforts. However, in an unscripted moment that quickly dominated regional headlines, President Samia Suluhu publicly questioned the announcement, indicating that her government had not been consulted and was unaware of the arrangement. The brief but politically loaded exchange immediately sparked debate among diplomats, political observers and foreign policy analysts across the region. International Relations expert Eric Irungu says the moment exposed deeper structural concerns in Kenya’s diplomatic approach. “It is very true that the recent exposition showed there was no aspect of consultation,” Irungu said in an interview. According to him, the public nature of the clarification placed Kenya in a delicate diplomatic position and raised fresh concerns about how the country is conducting its foreign policy engagements. “For the first time, serious questions are being raised about our conduct of diplomacy,” he said. Irungu argues that Kenya needs to urgently return to the traditional and formal structures of diplomatic engagement through what experts refer to as Track One diplomacy. Track One diplomacy refers to official state-to-state engagement conducted through recognised government channels involving presidents, ministries, ambassadors and formal diplomatic institutions. Unlike informal political statements or backchannel engagements, Track One diplomacy relies heavily on procedure, consultation, protocol and structured communication between governments. According to Irungu, the apparent lack of prior engagement with Tanzania before publicly discussing the refinery project created unnecessary embarrassment for Kenya and weakened the country’s diplomatic image within the region. “What needs to be done is to get back to the traditional and formal aspect of diplomatic engagement,” he said. “That entails clear channels of collaboration, communication and engagement whether bilaterally or multilaterally.” The analyst says regional projects, especially those involving strategic sectors such as energy, infrastructure and trade, require careful consultation among all state parties before public announcements are made. “In this context, we were looking at what was perceived as an East African affair, a collective investment,” he explained. “But failing to engage Tanzania, where the refinery was supposed to be domiciled, was a clear indication that we were not serious.” The incident has since become one of the most discussed diplomatic moments in recent months, with several regional newspapers describing it as a diplomatic blunder. However, beyond the headlines, experts say the issue reflects a broader challenge facing Kenya’s foreign policy establishment — balancing political messaging with institutional diplomacy. Irungu says Kenya appears to be increasingly relying on politically driven diplomatic approaches at the expense of formal statecraft. He warns that diplomacy cannot be conducted through spontaneous public pronouncements without prior engagement between governments. “The President ought to avoid making such statements when there has not been formal engagement with foreign governments,” he said. The analyst also linked the current situation to wider concerns over political appointments within Kenya’s diplomatic system. According to him, there must be a careful balance between career diplomats and political appointees in diplomatic missions abroad. Career diplomats are professionals trained in international relations, negotiation, protocol and foreign policy management, while non-career diplomats are often political allies or individuals appointed based on networks and political considerations. Irungu says both groups can add value, but over-politicisation risks weakening the professionalism required in diplomacy. “There needs to be a careful balance between career diplomats and non-career diplomats because each enriches the diplomatic process differently,” he said. His remarks come at a time when Parliament is considering proposals seeking to cap diplomatic appointments at a ratio of 70 per cent career diplomats and 30 per cent political appointees. Supporters of the proposal argue that professional diplomats offer institutional memory, technical expertise and consistency in foreign policy implementation. At the same time, political appointees are seen as individuals capable of leveraging political and business networks to advance bilateral relations. Irungu believes the proposed ratio could help restore professionalism while still allowing room for strategic political appointments. “If we are serious about diplomacy and presenting ourselves effectively internationally, then we must ensure we are putting our best foot forward,” he said. “That means appointing ambassadors and high commissioners who can advance Kenya’s interests in the best way possible.” Kenya has historically maintained a strong diplomatic reputation within Africa, often positioning itself as a regional stabiliser and mediator in peace processes across the continent. The country has played central roles in mediation efforts in South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. Nairobi also hosts several major international organisations including the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat, giving Kenya strategic diplomatic significance globally. However, recent incidents have increasingly placed Kenya’s diplomatic machinery under scrutiny. Analysts say the speed of political communication in the digital age has created pressure on leaders to make ambitious announcements publicly, sometimes before formal consultations are complete. But experts caution that diplomacy operates differently from domestic politics. Foreign policy, they argue, depends heavily on discretion, protocol and mutual trust between states. Public contradictions between heads of state can create perceptions of disorganisation and weaken confidence among regional partners and investors. The Tanzania incident is particularly sensitive because Kenya and Tanzania share one of East Africa’s most important bilateral relationships. The two countries are major trading partners and cooperate closely through the East African Community. Any visible tension between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam therefore attracts significant regional attention. While neither government has indicated a diplomatic fallout from the incident, analysts say the moment serves as a warning on the importance of structured state communication. Irungu says diplomacy should not only focus on political optics but on sustained institutional engagement behind the scenes. “There are procedures and formalities tied to Track One diplomacy,” he explained. “The levels of engagement required are very different because diplomacy is not just about statements; it is about coordination.” He added that the Dar es Salaam moment should push Kenya to reassess how strategic regional projects are communicated. The analyst maintains that East African integration can only succeed through genuine consultation and equal participation among partner states. For now, the incident continues to generate debate within diplomatic and political circles, with many viewing it as a lesson on the importance of preparation, protocol and institutional coordination in international relations. As Kenya seeks to strengthen its regional influence and economic partnerships, experts say restoring confidence in formal diplomatic engagement may become increasingly necessary. And in a region where political relationships often shape trade, security and investment, analysts warn that even brief unscripted moments can carry long-term diplomatic consequences.