CARICOM and Kenya renew diplomatic ties

(Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) - The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Kenya on Tuesday, May 20, renewed diplomatic ties with the appointment of the second ambassador of the East African country to CARICOM, Her Excellency Everlyne Mwenda Karis.

During an accreditation ceremony at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana, Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, welcomed the opportunity to deepen collaboration with Kenya, even as CARICOM works to expand its broader engagement with Africa.

The Secretary-General expressed appreciation to the Kenyan government for leading the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti and deploying over 800 Kenyan personnel, whom she said answered the call to foster an environment conducive to sustainable development and security in the sister CARICOM nation. The Secretary-General also conveyed the Community’s “deep sadness” for the loss of two brave Kenyan officers in Haiti.

Commending the country’s role in the inaugural CARICOM-Africa Summit in 2021, she said the Conference catalysed strengthened relations between CARICOM and Africa through economic partnerships with Afreximbank and the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC) to enhance south-south cooperation in health.

The Second CARICOM-Africa Summit is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on September 7, 2025, CARICOM-Africa Day.

Looking ahead to the future of CARICOM-Kenya relations, the Secretary-General anticipates “enriched ties” through people-to-people contact, trade, and joint advocacy in multilateral fora on climate change and reparations. She also anticipates that Kenya’s election as Chair of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent would redound to enhanced support for reparations.

Ambassador Karis conveyed warm greetings from Kenya’s President, Dr. William Ruto, and noted the country’s commitment to advancing diplomatic, trade, and cultural cooperation between CARICOM and Africa.

She said that the historical ties between Africa and the Caribbean act as impetus for Kenya’s strong advocacy for South-South cooperation, particularly with its diaspora, to confront common challenges and to speak with one voice in the international arena.

Ambassador Karis proposed a focus on trade, tourism, the blue economy, culture, and transport connectivity.