The Kenyan Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, has announced the permanent closure of its Consular Section effective November 30, 2026, following a directive from the Government of Kenya. In a communiqué dated November 9, the Embassy informed Kenyans living in Switzerland and other clients that consular operations would officially come to an end on the announced date. Kenyans who have already processed documents have been advised to collect them before the closure. Those who submitted applications for consular services from November 1 will be contacted and informed about alternative arrangements for accessing their documents.
The Embassy also assured Kenyans that information regarding alternative consular services in Switzerland would be communicated through its official website and other communication platforms. In its statement, the mission thanked the Kenyan community in Switzerland, its clients, partners and friends for their continued support and cooperation throughout its years of operation.
Government Explains Embassy Closure
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei explained that the closure is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to reorganise Kenya’s diplomatic presence around the world. Speaking on Tuesday, the PS said the government was reviewing its diplomatic missions, with some expected to shut down while new ones would be established in other locations.
Sing’Oei, however, assured Kenyans living abroad that the changes would not affect their access to essential consular services. He stated that Kenyans would continue receiving services through alternative arrangements despite the planned restructuring of the country’s diplomatic network.
Kenya-Switzerland Diplomatic Relations
The Kenyan Embassy in Bern was officially established and opened on April 2, 2020, strengthening diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Switzerland. The two countries have maintained bilateral relations over the years, with Switzerland having established an official presence in Kenya shortly after the country’s independence in 1963.
Their relationship also extends to trade, with Switzerland importing agricultural products from Kenya while exporting pharmaceutical and chemical products to the Kenyan market. The closure of the Bern mission therefore marks a change in Kenya’s diplomatic representation in Switzerland as the government continues restructuring its international diplomatic footprint.
