Kenya has secured another senior international position following the appointment of Ambassador Martin Kimani as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General responsible for Africa at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO).
The appointment was announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with Kimani succeeding Ghana’s Ama Akyaa Pobee.
The DPPA-DPO is responsible for strengthening the United Nations’ efforts in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding around the world.
Kimani brings more than 25 years of experience in international relations, peace and security, and international diplomacy, having worked with regional organisations, governments, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.
He previously served as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2020 to 2024.
During Kenya’s tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2021 and 2022, Kimani served as President of the Council in October 2021.
In 2023, he served as President of the Boards of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Office for Project Services.
Kimani also previously served as Director of Kenya’s National Counter Terrorism Centre and as the President’s Special Envoy for Countering Violent Extremism between 2015 and 2020.
His appointment gives Kenya a prominent voice within the United Nations’ peace and security architecture, particularly on matters concerning Africa.
Announcing the appointment, UN Secretary-General António Guterres named Kimani among senior officials entrusted with advancing the organisation’s work in political affairs and peace operations.
Kimani’s new role will see him contribute to UN efforts to address conflicts, support peace processes and promote stability across the African continent.
