Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei used a high-level visit to Australia to lobby support for Kenya's candidates seeking election to two of the world's top judicial bodies.
During a reception hosted by Kenya's High Commissioner to Australia, Ambassador Wilson Kogo, Sing'Oei urged support for Prof. Phoebe Okowa's candidature to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Lady Justice Njoki Ndung'u's bid for election to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The lobbying formed part of a broader diplomatic engagement during Sing'Oei's visit under Australia's Special Visitors Programme, an invitation reserved for leaders Canberra considers key strategic partners.
The visit provided Kenya with an opportunity to advance its foreign policy and economic interests while underscoring the country's growing influence on the global stage.
Sing'Oei held talks with officials from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade, industry leaders, and the University of Technology Sydney to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation.
The discussions focused on expanding trade, investment and employment opportunities in mining, renewable energy, agriculture, higher education and digital technology, sectors considered central to Kenya's economic transformation agenda.
Australian expertise in these areas was identified as an important complement to Kenya's efforts to diversify its international partnerships, with both sides also exploring stronger education partnerships and labour mobility programmes that could benefit Kenyan students and professionals.
Officials acknowledged the contribution of the estimated 35,000 Kenyans living in Australia, many of whom work in healthcare, engineering, information technology, academia and entrepreneurship
The diaspora was recognised as a key link for investment, trade and knowledge exchange between the two countries.
PS Korir SingOei (5th from left) with diaspora leaders, Kenya High Commission staff in Sydney, Australia / HANDOUT Beyond economic cooperation, Kenya and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional peace and security as Indian Ocean states and founding members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
The discussions covered maritime security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, counter-terrorism and defence cooperation aimed at safeguarding regional stability and critical trade routes.
During a lecture at Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Sing'Oei also called for reforms to the global financial system to better respond to Africa's development needs.
He appealed for Australia's technical support on guarantee and blended finance instruments, coordinated advocacy within multilateral institutions and increased engagement of Australian risk capital with African-led financial institutions.
PS Korir Korir Sing'Oei (6th from left) and Kenya High Commissioner Amb Dr Wilson Kogo (5th from left) with mission staff and officers from Foreign Affairs Nairobi staff at the Canberra Mission, Australia / HANDOUT 
