Priority programmes for Kenya at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

Executive Summary

This policy paper addresses Kenya’s strategic options as she occupies the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat in her third tenure. The country’s stint at the Council will only be meaningful depending on the programmes she successfully champions. These should include good politics geared towards UNSC reforms; emerging dynamics in counter-terrorism; supporting the women in peacebuilding conversation; and holistic climate change mitigation efforts. The paper recommends lobbying for reforms towards the establishment of more permanent seats at the UNSC, re-ignition of the conversation on designation of the Al-Shabaab and Ansar al-sunna as emerging terror groups in Africa, and pushing for home-grown alternative
dispute resolution mechanisms that are customized to solve African problems.