A diplomatic disagreement has emerged between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following President William Ruto’s nomination of a new Consul General to Goma.

The DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has voiced its strong objections, stating that such an appointment requires prior approval from Congolese authorities.

In a statement released on Saturday, Kinshasa warned that announcing the nomination of Judy Kiaria Nkumiri as Kenya’s Consul General to Goma and Moni Manyange as the new Deputy Head of Mission to the DRC was “inappropriate.”

The DRC government cited international law and diplomatic procedures, which mandate that any appointment of a foreign consular chief on its territory must be preceded by consultation and the issuance of an exequatur by its Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The DRC also highlighted that the city of Goma remains under what it described as “illegal occupation” by the M23 rebel group, with ongoing human rights violations.

The government warned that proceeding with the appointment could be seen as legitimizing the occupation and could heighten diplomatic tensions between the two nations, who are key players in regional peace and security efforts.

In response, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’Oei, termed the DRC’s reaction as “premature.” He clarified that standard diplomatic practice requires Kenya to seek the DRC’s formal consent only after the nominee receives parliamentary approval.

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