Why Kenya is shutting down embassy in Bern, Switzerland
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei.
Kenya is closing its embassy in Bern, Switzerland, reflecting a move to cut costs and relocate staff to a newer diplomatic presence.
The Embassy in Bern, the Swiss political capital, was opened in April 2020. It will now be permanently closed from November 30 2026, according to a notice the mission sent to the Kenyan diaspora in Switzerland.
It means Kenya's diplomatic affairs will be handled through Nairobi's UN permanent mission in Geneva, Switzerland.
Kenya's Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing'oei confirmed the decision on November 10, saying the closure was part of an ongoing rationalisation of Kenya's diplomatic missions to align them with the country's strategic priorities.
Dr Sing'oei said the government was reviewing its overseas diplomatic presence, including closing some missions and opening others.
Dr Korir Sing'oei, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Foreign Affairs.
"This is part of ongoing rationalisation of Kenya's diplomatic footprint globally, involving closing some missions and opening new ones in the furtherance of our strategic priorities as a country," he said through his official X account.
A more comprehensive statement would be issued in due course, he said, assuring Kenyans that they would continue receiving consular services despite the changes.
The Nation understands the staff at Bern will move to Baku in Azerbaijan, Kenya's most recent diplomatic opening. A source explained that Bern was seen as less active and that consular affairs could still be provided through Geneva.
The embassy said any clients who have been notified that their documents are ready are required to collect them before the deadline.
Those who submitted applications for consular services from November 1 will be contacted with arrangements for collecting their processed documents.
The Nation understands that Kenya has planned to close more missions around the world, in places seen as less significant.
Embassies typically cost about Ksh200 million a year to run, but some have been facing huge maintenance costs, or are in debt.
Earlier in 2026, the government closed its embassy in Havana, Cuba, citing operational and financial challenges linked to US sanctions. Instead, it shifted to Kingston, Jamaica. Kenya had also identified the mission in Haiti for closure, just two years after opening it to coordinate Kenya's then participation in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
At the same time, Nairobi has pursued plans to establish or strengthen diplomatic and consular representation in strategic locations, including Copenhagen, Hanoi, the Vatican, Guangzhou, and Jeddah.
Officials say there will be more of a shift towards a more selective diplomatic network, with resources redirected to locations considered important to Kenya's economic and foreign policy interests.
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