The Cabinet has approved the creation of an Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Vatican City, marking a significant step toward deepening diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government said the establishment of a resident mission in the Vatican will enhance cooperation in key areas including peace-building, climate action, and humanitarian initiatives.
The Vatican recognized globally as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church plays a pivotal role in international dialogue, mediation, and humanitarian affairs. The Cabinet noted that the new embassy will further Kenya’s collaboration with Catholic development organizations, which currently manage over 7,700 schools and 500 health facilities across the country.
According to the government, the expanded partnership with the Holy See will bolster Kenya’s education, healthcare, and social welfare sectors, supporting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
In the same session, Cabinet also approved the establishment of two additional embassies in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Hanoi, Vietnam. The move aims to expand Kenya’s global diplomatic footprint, strengthen bilateral and trade ties, and advance the nation’s strategic international interests.
Cabinet further endorsed the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to improve the efficiency of fund disbursement to county governments. The proposed law would split the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill into two separate pieces of legislation one covering allocations from the national government’s revenue share, and another for allocations funded by development partners through loans and grants.
According to the Cabinet, this reform is designed to address persistent delays in passing the annual Additional Allocations Act, which have previously hampered service delivery and slowed development at the county level.
“This change is expected to enhance efficiency in public finance management, improve service delivery, and strengthen devolution by ensuring timely transfers to county governments,” the dispatch read.
