Guatemala has begun plans to establish an embassy in Nairobi, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing'oei, confirmed that the move will be fundamental in reinforcing diplomatic relationships with Guatemala and the Latin American Community.
"The Kenya-Guatemala partnership will soon be upgraded with the establishment of a full-fledged embassy in Nairobi and expanding our engagement with Latin America," he stated.
The announcement comes days after the PS met a delegation from Guatemala, which was led by Mónica Bolaños Pérez, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, to discuss the establishment of the embassy.
The announcement comes at a time when the relationship between Kenya and the United States is in a precarious situation after the country's rising alliance with China, which is one of the greatest competitors to the United States, the world's superpower.
Earlier this week, on Wednesday, 21 May, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch hinted that the US may revoke Kenya’s major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally status granted by former President Joe Biden last year.
If the US does this, it means that Kenya could lose its increased access to military support from the United States.
While referencing a post between Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guyo Haiyen and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, Risch termed the alliance as a problem for the US.
“Kenya plays a vital role in regional counterinsurgency and stability. But as our newest Major Non-NATO Ally, Kenya's ties with China are troubling,” Risch stated.
"Widened diplomacy" with America's greatest competitor is not an alliance—it’s a risk for the US to assess,” he added.
On the other hand, Guatemala and Kenya have had a close relationship, especially after the South American country, which is not a NATO country, earlier this year, joined the Kenya-led Haiti peacekeeping mission and promised 150 police officers to boost the mission.
According to the PS, the two nations will further deepen their cooperation in critical sectors such as trade, tourism, agriculture, technology, cultural exchange, peacekeeping, climate action, and South-South cooperation.
"The visit follows Guatemala’s proposal in March 2024 and Kenya’s formal approval in July 2024. This marks a significant step in deepening diplomatic ties since the establishment of relations in 2008," the state department said.
"The meeting signals a new chapter of bilateral engagement and mutual partnership between Kenya and Guatemala," it added.
The announcement comes a month after the government confirmed that the country had bought the Kenya High Commission building in London after decades of leasing the building.
The announcement was made by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in a statement on Wednesday, April 16, after visiting Kenyans at the commission in London.
