Kenya endorses UAE candidate Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General
Delegates at the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, US, on September 26, 2026.
Kenya on Monday endorsed Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, the late entrant in the race for the post of UN Secretary-General.
The decision, announced by the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, means Kenya has signalled that it will not back Africa's remaining contender in the race, Uganda's Olara Otunnu.
Dr Olara Otunnu.
A statement from Mudavadi's office said: "Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, HE Dr Musalia Mudavadi, has, on behalf of Kenya, welcomed Lana Nusseibeh's candidature for Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN)."
Dr Mudavadi said her extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and service within the UN system would serve the Organisation well.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said, "Kenya looks forward to working with her to strengthen the partnership between the United Nations and Africa."
The announcement is also the result of lobbying by the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the personal friendship between the two countries' leaders.
Last week, Kenya hosted Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs responsible for African affairs. After President William Ruto hosted him at State House, he said the two had discussed expanding trade.
"Kenya and the United Arab Emirates enjoy warm diplomatic ties grounded in our shared aspirations. We will keep growing this friendship to facilitate more trade and investment between our two countries," Ruto said on October 23.
Although she had been the subject of diplomatic speculation, Nusseibeh entered the race only last week, just two months before the tenure of incumbent Secretary-General António Guterres expires.
The United Nations flag is seen is seen during the Climate Action Summit 2019 at the United Nations General Assembly Hall September 23, 2019 in New York City.
She joined a race that already had six contenders who have spent months lobbying for support. Former Costa Rican vice-president Rebeca Grynspan has led all five informal straw polls conducted so far.
Other contenders include Ivonne A-Baki of Ecuador, María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana. The male candidates are Rafael Grossi of Argentina and Uganda's Olara Otunnu. Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, Argentina's Virginia Gamba and former Senegalese president Macky Sall have since withdrawn from the race.
By endorsing the Emirati candidate, Kenya has signalled it will not support the African contender, who has nevertheless struggled to convince the UN Security Council of his suitability.
In the latest straw poll, an informal vote, Otunnu received backing from just one of the Security Council's five permanent members, who include China, Russia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom.
Kenya may also be signalling a departure from support for the informal rotational system, under which the position is expected to rotate among regions. Countries in the Latin American and Caribbean group have insisted that it is their turn. However, their leading candidate, Grynspan, has been unable to secure the support of all five permanent members of the Security Council.
The Council recommends a candidate for appointment by the UN General Assembly. However, a candidate must secure at least nine votes in the 15-member Council and face no opposition from any of the five permanent members.
The current 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council are Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Latvia, Liberia, Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.
Nusseibeh, 47, the UAE's Minister of State and former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, could become the first woman to serve as UN Secretary-General.
Her path to victory may depend less on securing the most support than on avoiding opposition from any of the Security Council's five permanent members.
As a diplomat, she has defended the UAE against mounting allegations that it backed Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, which have been accused of atrocities against civilians during the war with the Sudan Armed Forces.
On Thursday, she pledged to serve all countries, seek common ground and remain independent of her home government.
"I am standing to be Secretary-General because I believe this is a moment to act with greater urgency: to act earlier, bring people together across differences, and drive the work forward until it produces concrete results," she said.
"That is how we rebuild trust in the United Nations and ensure it delivers meaningful change for the people it exists to serve."
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