The Foreign Service Academy (FSA) has marked a historic milestone with the graduation of its first-ever cohort of 57 Third Secretary cadets. The officers, drawn from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, successfully completed the Foundation Course in Foreign Policy and Diplomacy, making them the first group to go through the Academy’s structured training curriculum. The course, which is the entry level of the four-tier Foreign Service Academy Training Curriculum, is designed to prepare officers for the demands of international diplomacy by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate the complexities of global governance in the 21st century. Speaking during the ceremony, the Acting Director-General of the Academy, Amb. Wamoto, described the graduation as a major step forward in strengthening Kenya’s Foreign Service. He said the structured programme will ensure that the country’s diplomats are not only well prepared but also capable of defending and advancing Kenya’s interests abroad. Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roselyn Njogu, congratulated the graduands and urged them to embrace their roles with commitment and a sense of national duty. She reminded them that the future of Kenya’s global standing and diaspora engagement lay in their hands, and challenged them to uphold professionalism and integrity in their service. Representing the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Wambura underscored the Institute’s critical role in building the competence of Kenya’s diplomatic corps. He noted that FSA would continue to equip officers with the relevant skills and expertise needed to enhance service delivery in the Foreign Service. He wished the new diplomats success and encouraged them to make a meaningful impact in their assignments across the world. Foreign Service Academy Chairman, Prof. Maluki, lauded the Institute’s progress and called on the graduands to give Kenya greater visibility on the global stage. He reminded them that a diplomat is the first line of defence of a country, and urged them to project and safeguard Kenya’s national interests through effective representation. The graduation is expected to boost the Ministry’s capacity in advancing Kenya’s foreign policy priorities, particularly in strengthening diplomatic presence and deepening engagement with Kenyans in the diaspora.
