In a development that has stirred diplomatic waters, a faction of Kenyan Members of Parliament (MPs) reportedly orchestrated a visit to Taiwan during President William Ruto’s recent state visit to China. The initiative, which was ultimately aborted, has been condemned by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi as “unpatriotic” and “provocative,” suggesting it could have jeopardized Kenya’s strategic relations with Beijing.
Addressing the Senate Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, Mudavadi emphasized that the proposed trip was not only ill-timed but also detrimental to Kenya’s foreign policy objectives, particularly given the nation’s steadfast adherence to the One-China principle. “Some people were pushing to have a parliamentary delegation visit Taiwan when the President of Kenya is visiting China for a state visit. This could have cost the country significantly,” he stated.
Kenya has consistently upheld the One-China principle, recognizing the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government of China and viewing Taiwan as an integral part of its territory. This position aligns with the 1971 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognized the PRC as China’s representative.
Ambassador Jane Makori, Deputy Director of Asia and Pacific Affairs, reiterated this stance during a symposium in Nairobi, stating, “Kenya subscribes to the One-China principle, and Taiwan is part of China’s territory.”
Several Kenyan legislators have publicly expressed support for China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. Belgut MP Nelson Koech affirmed Parliament’s alignment with the government’s position, declaring, “The Kenyan Parliament holds the same position as the government that there is only one China. Anything else is just a dream! There’s nothing like Taiwan as a country.” Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the widely held Kenyan perspective: “We Kenyans don’t know any country known as Taiwan! Even my Kisumu folks only know China. So clearly there’s only one China as a country and Taiwan as its province.”
The identities of the MPs who planned the Taiwan visit remain undisclosed, underscoring the sensitivity of such actions given Kenya’s deepening ties with China. While no Kenyan legislators have publicly advocated for closer ties with Taiwan, the attempted visit suggests a divergence in perspectives among some MPs, potentially driven by economic or diplomatic interests. However, Kenya’s firm commitment to the One-China principle and its economic reliance on China make such engagements highly contentious.
Kenya’s relationship with China has yielded significant economic benefits, including infrastructure projects like the Nairobi Expressway and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). President Ruto’s recent visit to China secured further commitments, such as the extension of the SGR and a dual carriageway to Uganda’s border at Malaba, which are expected to bolster economic growth in various regions.
Any actions perceived as undermining this partnership, such as the attempted Taiwan visit, could have adverse effects on these developments. Mudavadi highlighted the potential risks, stating, “Some didn’t want the government to achieve anything during this visit.”
The incident has prompted calls for greater coordination between Kenya’s legislative and executive branches in foreign affairs. Senator Fatuma Dullo, Chairperson of the Senate Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, requested that Mudavadi provide Parliament with a list of countries that members should or should not visit to prevent future diplomatic conflicts.
As Kenya continues to navigate complex international relationships, maintaining a unified and strategic approach to foreign policy is critical. The aborted Taiwan visit serves as a cautionary tale of the delicate balance required in international diplomacy.
