Historical background

Bilateral relations between Kenya and Israel can be traced way back to over a century when in August 1903 the then British Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain offered the Zionists a part of Kenyan territory through the edict called the “Uganda scheme” for their autonomous State at the 6^th Zionist Congress. Although this suggestion created much controversy among the international Jewish Community, and was subsequently rejected at the 7^th Zionist Congress, in 1905, several Jewish families immigrated to Kenya culminating in building of a Jewish Synagogue in Nairobi in 1913. Jewish settlement in Kenya therefore, began in the early 1900s. At the moment several hundred Kenyans of Jewish origin live and call Kenya their first home.

When the British set up a detention camp in Gilgil, a town in the Kenyan Rift Valley in March 1947, in-order to hold captured members of the “Irgun” and “Lehi” Jewish underground organizations deported from Palestine, it was the Jewish community who had emigrated a few years into Kenya who took care of these prisoners. This rich history of our relations was re-lived by some of the remnant prisoners when they visited the grave site of their colleagues in Gilgil early in the year 2010.

Diplomatic and Political Relations

Israel was the first country on 10^th December, 1963, to lay a foundation stone for her Embassy in Kenya, two (2) days before the declaration of Kenya’s independence on 12^th December, 1963. Israel was also the first country to build her Embassy in Nairobi. While many countries around the globe played a “wait and see” diplomatic approach following the exit of the British from Kenya, Israel’s then Foreign Affairs Minister, Golda Meir flew to Nairobi and discussed the country’s plans to establish the Embassy in Kenya with H.E. Jomo Kenyatta, the Founding President of Kenya.

Kenya and Israel have had therefore very cordial relations ever since. Although these relations ruptured in 1973 when the organization of African Unity (OAU) Member States, including Kenya, resolved to sever ties with Israel because of the Arab – Israeli war of 1973 (Yom Kippur War), both countries continued to have low level people-people relations.

However, on 23^rd December, 1988 Kenya re-established Diplomatic relations with Israel. The historic visit to Israel in January, 1994 by Kenya’s former President Daniel Arap Moi further enhanced our bilateral relations. Thereafter, Kenya’s first Ambassador to Israel was appointed in March, 1994.

In July 1976 Kenya supported Israel during the Entebbe raid. A friendship that has endured and Kenya is also grateful to Israel for among others, the rescue assistance extended during the bombings of the US Embassy in Nairobi in 1998 and the collapsed building in Nairobi in early 2006.

The relations between the two countries are productive and friendly in various fields and are underpinned by strong people to people ties, offering a strong basis for future growth. Both countries are looking to closer co-operation in political, trade and economic relations, science and technology, culture and academic exchanges.

Kenya has appointed five Ambassadors to Israel  since 1994  as follows:

Ambassador Samuel Thuita
Presentation of Credentials: 14/02/2019 to date

Am​bassador Augostino Stephen Karanu Njoroge
Presentation of Credentials: 05/07/2010

​​Am​bassador Felistas Vunoro Khayumbi
Presentation of Credentials: 04/05/2004

Am​bassador Michael Sergon
Presentation of Credentials: 2003

Am​bassador John Malan Sawe
Presentation of Credentials: 23/03/1994