NAIROBI — Kenya has restated its formal recognition of Somalia as a united, sovereign state. But in the same breath, it has left the door open to closer ties with Somalia’s autonomous regions particularly Somaliland and Jubaland.
The balancing act comes at a sensitive time for the Horn of Africa, where political boundaries remain as fragile as the trust between neighbours.
In a carefully worded statement issued on Monday, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs affirmed what it called an “unequivocal” commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity. Mogadishu, it said, remains “the sole legitimate authority over all Somali territories.”
At the same time, the ministry signaled it would continue working with Somaliland and Jubaland on areas of shared interest including trade and security in consultation with Somalia’s federal government.
“Kenya will maintain contact and relations with sub-national governments in Jubaland and Somaliland,” the ministry said, adding that any engagement would be “in line with the principles of mutual respect and good neighbourliness.”
The statement reflects Nairobi’s effort to walk a diplomatic tightrope reaffirming its loyalty to Somalia’s unity, while quietly pursuing pragmatic ties in the region.
An Uneasy History
The diplomatic terrain is fraught. In the past, even seemingly minor gestures have sparked tension between Kenya and Somalia.
One such moment came in December 2023, when Kenyan Senate Speaker Amason Kingi met with a representative from Somaliland and referred to him as an “ambassador.” The comment drew a swift rebuke from Kenya’s Foreign Ministry.
“Foreign policy is a function of the national government,” Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei reminded Parliament at the time, stressing that Somaliland’s presence in Nairobi was limited to a commercial liaison office.
Kenya’s official stance remains aligned with the African Union, which recognises only the Federal Republic of Somalia as sovereign.
But the government has often found itself navigating grey areas especially when regional interests such as border security and cross-border trade come into play.
Jubaland and Security Concerns
Kenya shares a long and porous border with Jubaland, a region that has played a key role in joint counter-terrorism efforts. Kenyan forces operate inside Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), often working closely with local administrations in Jubaland.
Security analysts say it’s nearly impossible for Nairobi to ignore the on-the-ground realities in these regions.
“Kenya’s position is not surprising,” said Abdullahi Halakhe, a Horn of Africa policy analyst. “They’re trying to keep lines of communication open where their interests are directly affected like in the fight against Al-Shabaab and the movement of goods across the border.”
Tensions Not New
Monday’s statement also stirred memories of earlier disputes. In 2019, Somalia and Kenya briefly withdrew their ambassadors following a flare-up over a maritime border row. That same year, three Somali lawmakers were denied entry at Nairobi’s airport for arriving without visas, further straining relations.
Kenya said the move was standard protocol, not political. But in the eyes of Somalia, it was yet another slight in a relationship riddled with suspicion.
“It wasn’t a blanket ban,” then-Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma said at the time. “Even diplomatic passport holders require visas. That’s normal procedure.”
The spat only eased after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stepped in to mediate between the two presidents.
What Comes Next
The future of Kenya’s engagements with Somaliland and Jubaland remains uncertain. Much will depend on how Nairobi manages its communication with Mogadishu and how much flexibility Somalia’s government is willing to show.
For Somaliland, which has sought recognition as an independent state for decades, even small diplomatic openings carry symbolic weight. Kenya has so far resisted recognizing it officially, but signs of warmer ties such as trade talks or visits tend to draw attention.
For now, Kenya is sticking to a careful script.
It says it supports Somalia’s unity but will also pursue its own interests in the region. In a neighborhood shaped by shifting alliances, that may be the only viable path.
