Morocco-Kenya relations on the mend as Polisario support dwindles

Kenya’s newly appointed ambassador to Morocco, Jessica Muthoni Gakinya, presented her credentials to Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat on Friday, August 30.

Gakinya, who was appointed by Kenyan President William Ruto on March 8 and confirmed by Parliament in April, marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to strengthen relations between the two nations.

Kenyan media described the meeting as a “significant step forward after decades of cautious relations” and a key moment in the normalization of ties between Kenya and Morocco.

The enhanced diplomatic engagement comes ahead of Kenya’s upcoming elections for the African Union Commission, scheduled for February 2025.

Observers suggest that Kenya’s diplomatic outreach to Morocco is strategically timed to secure support for Raila Odinga, Kenya’s candidate for the AU Commission presidency.

MFA Nasser Bourita received, today in Rabat, H.E. Ms. Jessica Muthoni Gakinya, who presented the figured copies of her credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kenya to His Majesty King Mohammed VI may God assist Him.@SingoeiAKorir pic.twitter.com/1BBzIEpmJp

— Moroccan Diplomacy ?? (@Marocdiplo_EN) August 30, 2024

In a related development, on March 21 in Rabat, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with Kenyan Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Abraham Korir Singoei, who delivered a message from President Ruto to King Mohammed VI.

Additionally, Kenyan senators have recently proposed opening an embassy in Morocco, aiming to overcome the historical cold relations between the two countries.

This initiative follows President Ruto’s reversal in September 2022 on Kenya’s stance regarding the separatist Polisario.

The recent diplomatic activities underscore a renewed focus on strengthening bilateral ties and collaboration within the African Union framework.