Inauguration of the Djibouti Embassy in Kenya

The official opening of the new Djibouti embassy in Nairobi-Kenya took place on the 6 September 2023, by the president of the Republic of Djibouti and the head of state, His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh. Before that, the Embassy was located in the city center, in the International life house on Mama Ngina Street.

The new embassy now operates in Runda, Ruaka road in a serene and quiet environment.

The Djibouti diplomats and their local staff joined the Djibouti community in Kenya in this celebration which was graced by the representatives of the Kenya government. This is a milestone in the continued engagement of the Djibouti government with his counterpart Kenya. It is a demonstration of the will of the President of the Republic of Djibouti in strengthening diplomatic ties and building bilateral cooperation between the two nations. This new building which now is a property of the Republic of Djibouti, is a symbol of mutual confidence and trust. Among other guests we, we had the Kenyan Minister of Defence, Hon. Aden Duale and The Djibouti Minister of Foreign affairs and international cooperation, Hon. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

Djibouti and Kenya first established diplomatic ties on 27 June 1977, after Djibouti’s independence.  In May 2021 President Kenyatta visited Djibouti to attend the inauguration of President Guelleh.

Both countries are founding members of COMESA. Additionally, the two nations are founding members of the IGAD trade bloc.

Djibouti’s President Guelleh made a state visit to Kenya and held talks with President Kenyatta in May 2018. The agreements signed during the visit included cooperation in trade, protection of investments, agriculture, vocational training and exemption of visas for diplomatic passport holders.

In 2011, while on tour of Djibouti, Kenya’s Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary, Monica K. Juma met with Djiboutian President, Guelleh. She also held talks with the Djiboutian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Speaker of the National Assembly, Minister for Education, Minister for Transport, the Chamber of Commerce, the investment promotion agency and the tourism board.

Djibouti and Kenya are also security partners as part of the AMISOM Mission in Somalia. Djibouti–Kenya relations are bilateral  and  both nations are members of the African Union and the United Nations.