Members of Parliament are reviewing a draft amendment that would reshape how Kenya appoints ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomatic representatives.

It also introduces a minimum service requirement, mandating that any career diplomat nominated must have completed at least ten years of service within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The legislation, sponsored by Mwingi West MP Charles Ngusya, aims to boost the representation of seasoned foreign‑service officers in senior diplomatic roles and to clarify the definition of a career diplomat.

Despite the new ratios, the bill retains the existing framework whereby the President nominates ambassadors and the National Assembly must approve those appointments.

Stakeholders are already weighing in: the International Relations Society of Kenya called for the 70% figure to be a minimum rather than a ceiling and sought clarification on how secondments count toward the ten‑year service rule.

The Association of Former and Retired Ambassadors backed the reforms but suggested raising the experience threshold to fifteen years of continuous service and requiring nominees to hold at least the rank of Director or Minister Counsellor.

The Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations is hearing these views as it prepares recommendations for the full National Assembly.