The Kenyan governmenmt has announced the permanent closure it’s embassy located in Bern,Switzerland, as part of ongoing rationalisation of the country’s diplomatic missions.

In a comminique dated on 9th of November ,the Kenyan Embassy issued out a notice to Kenyan nationals that its Consular section will permanently close down on the 30th of November.

Members who are looking forward to collecting any documents have been notified to do so before the section permanently closes down ,with all those who have applied for any services from the first of this month will be notified and given directions on how they would be able to get their documents.

“Information on alternative consular arrangements for Kenyans in Switzerland will be shared through the Embassy’s website and official channels,” the statement notes.

“The Embassy sincerely thanks all its clients, the Kenyan community in Switzerland, and its friends and partners for their support and understanding over the years.”

“Kenyans will continue to receive proximate services despite this rationalization process,” he wrote on X.

The Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary,Korir Sing’Oei mentioned that the move is part of an ”ongoing radicalization of Kenya’s diplomatic footprint globally ” and some missions will face closure will others will be opened .

The Kenyan Embassy to Switzerland which is located in Bern ,was officially opened on April 2 ,2020 and it handled bilateral diplomatic relations between Kenya and Switzerland which was established in 2018 following an agreement between the two countries.

It was formally established as Kenya’s resident Embassy in April 2020 when Ambassador Andrew Kihurani presented his credentials as the Country’s first ambassador to Switzerland based in Bern.

The Embassy Chancery was commisioned by the Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 2022 although its operations had began earlier around October.

Switzerland has had presence in Kenya since we gained independence in 1963 and the two nations have had bilateral ties.