Kenya to Shut Down Switzerland Embassy as Government Reorganises Global Diplomatic Network

Kenya is preparing to withdraw its resident embassy from Switzerland, leaving thousands of Kenyans in the European country waiting to learn where they will access passport, documentation and other consular services.

The Embassy of Kenya in Bern has announced that it will permanently close its operations following a directive from Nairobi, with its Consular Section scheduled to stop operating on November 30, 2026.

The decision, confirmed by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei on Tuesday, November 10, is part of a wider government review of Kenya's diplomatic presence abroad.

In a statement, the embassy asked Kenyans with processed documents awaiting collection to retrieve them before the November 30 deadline.

Those who submitted applications for consular services from November 1 will be contacted separately and given instructions on how to access their documents.

The mission also advised applicants to carry valid identification and their application receipts when collecting documents.

The closure raises practical questions for Kenyans living in Switzerland, particularly those who rely on the embassy for passport renewals, travel documents and other official assistance.

Closure does not mean Kenya is leaving Geneva

One important distinction is that Kenya's planned exit from Bern does not mean it is ending its entire diplomatic presence in Switzerland.

Kenya maintains a separate Permanent Mission in Geneva, which represents the country at the United Nations Office and other international organisations.

The Geneva mission is listed separately from the Bern embassy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' diplomatic directory. It is therefore important to distinguish the closure of the bilateral embassy from Kenya's continued multilateral engagement in Geneva.

The two missions have different responsibilities. While Bern has handled relations with the Swiss government, Geneva focuses on Kenya's engagement with international institutions, including the United Nations system.

The Bern embassy was established in April 2020, when Ambassador Andrew Kihurani presented his credentials as Kenya's first resident ambassador to Switzerland.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta formally commissioned the embassy's chancery in May 2022, following its establishment in October 2020. The opening followed an earlier commitment to strengthen bilateral relations after the Swiss president's visit to Kenya in 2018.

The closure will therefore mark a reversal of a relatively recent diplomatic expansion.

Government yet to explain the full financial and diplomatic implications

Sing'Oei has described the decision as part of an ongoing review of Kenya's diplomatic network.

"This is part of ongoing rationalisation of Kenya's diplomatic footprint globally, involving closing some Missions and opening new ones in furtherance of our strategic priorities as a country," he said.

He added that a more comprehensive statement would be issued later, assuring Kenyans that they would continue receiving consular services despite the changes.

However, the government has not yet provided a detailed explanation of why Bern was selected for closure, how much the move is expected to save or which mission will assume responsibility for providing services to Kenyans in Switzerland.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry's wider diplomatic directory also lists Kenya's missions in Brussels, Paris and Berlin, alongside the separate Geneva mission. Their existence does not, by itself, establish which office will take over Bern's consular responsibilities.

For Kenyans living in Switzerland, the immediate concern is continuity of services. They will need clear instructions on where to renew passports, obtain emergency travel documents and seek assistance in cases involving detention, accidents or other emergencies.

Until the government publishes the alternative arrangements, Kenyans with pending applications should follow the embassy's instructions and monitor its official communication channels.

The November 30 deadline is now the key date for clients with documents ready for collection.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.