Martin Kimani Appointed UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa

New York — Kenyan diplomat Ambassador Martin Kimani has been appointed United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Africa by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, marking a significant new role for the veteran diplomat in shaping the UN’s peace and security agenda across the continent.

Guterres appointed Kimani on Tuesday to serve in the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). He succeeds Ghanaian diplomat Akyaa Pobee in the position.

Kimani brings extensive diplomatic, peacebuilding and security experience to the role. He previously served as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2020 to 2024 and played a prominent role during Kenya’s tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2021 to 2022.

During his time on the Security Council, Kimani served as Council President in October 2021. He also chaired the Council’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa and co-chaired the Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security in 2022.

His diplomatic experience extends to the UN development system. Kimani previously served as President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Office for Project Services.

Extensive Experience in African Peace and Security

Before returning to the UN in New York, Kimani held several senior positions in Kenya’s national security and diplomatic establishment.

From 2015 to 2020, he served as Director of Kenya’s National Counter Terrorism Centre and as the President’s Special Envoy for Countering Violent Extremism. In those roles, he was involved in efforts to strengthen Kenya’s response to terrorism and violent extremism.

Kimani also served as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat from 2012 to 2015. Earlier, between 2011 and 2012, he was Director of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism.

His international leadership experience includes serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Africa Center, Executive Director of the Center on International Cooperation at New York University, and Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center.

A Key Role in Africa’s Peace Agenda

As Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Kimani will lead UN efforts focused on conflict prevention, mediation, preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding across the continent.

His appointment comes as African countries and regional organisations continue to confront complex security and political challenges, including armed conflicts, political instability, violent extremism and the broader impacts of climate-related insecurity.

With his background spanning diplomacy, counterterrorism, conflict prevention and multilateral affairs, Kimani is expected to play a central role in strengthening the UN’s engagement with African governments and regional institutions on peace and security.

The appointment also represents a prominent international role for Kenya and underscores the country’s longstanding contribution to UN diplomacy, peacekeeping and conflict-resolution efforts.