NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has blocked the planned opening of a Somaliland Liaison Office in Nairobi, reaffirming its recognition of Somalia’s sovereignty in a strongly worded diplomatic statement.
The move comes as Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro arrived in the Kenyan capital on Sunday for an official visit to deepen bilateral engagement.
In a letter addressed to the Somaliland Liaison Office, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said it had not authorized the event scheduled for Tuesday, 27 May 2025, and clarified that any diplomatic status associated with the office was not recognized.
“To the extent that the event of 27 May 2025 has not been granted approval from this Ministry, its investiture of the status of a Diplomatic Office does not enjoy the imprimatur of the Republic of Kenya and cannot be allowed to proceed,” the Ministry stated.
Kenya further emphasized that it “maintains and respectfully reaffirms its unwavering recognition of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a sovereign state,” reaffirming its commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty under international law.
The statement also noted Kenya’s ongoing cooperation with regional governments, including Somaliland. However, it stressed that these engagements are solely intended to promote peace, trade, and development across the Horn of Africa.
“The Government of Kenya, through sustained dialogue with the Federal Government of Somalia, stands ready to support efforts to enhance cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships,” it added.
The announcement came just hours after the Somaliland Presidency published a statement on social media announcing President Irro’s arrival in Nairobi for a “strategic diplomatic visit.”
The post said he was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Hassan Ali Joho and escorted in a formal procession to his residence in the capital.
“In a display of patriotism and unity, members of the Somaliland diaspora in Kenya gathered to extend a heartfelt welcome to the Head of State,” the Presidency’s statement read, adding that the visit aims to “strengthen diplomatic ties, foster regional cooperation, and advance Somaliland’s strategic engagement on the international stage.”
While President Irro’s visit underscores Somaliland’s efforts to expand its international footprint, Kenya’s diplomatic response reflects a clear and consistent policy line: engagement without recognition.
The Ministry concluded its letter by extending diplomatic courtesies to the Somaliland Liaison Office while firmly stating that any diplomatic initiative must receive official sanction to proceed.
Somaliland, a self-declared republic that proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991, remains unrecognized by any country.
Despite operating liaison offices in various capitals and maintaining de facto governance, the international community, including Kenya, continues to view Somaliland as part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
