Kiugu, Martin Mugambi2026-02-182026-02-182025-12https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/32485A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies of Kenyatta University, December 2025. Supervisor 1. Caroline WandiriKenya, a pivotal nation in East Africa, has experienced significant political and diplomatic transformations between 2002 and 2022. This period encompasses the leadership of three distinct regimes: President Uhuru Kenyatta (2013–2022), President Mwai Kibaki (2002–2013), and the early tenure of President William Ruto. Each regime brought unique approaches to governance and foreign policy, influenced by internal dynamics and global geopolitical shifts. This study will aim to identify the implications of regime change and shift in foreign policy (2002-2022) .The specific research objectives were to identify the similarities in the implementations of the foreign policy strategies by Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta regimes. Assessment the impacts of geopolitics on the foreign policy adjustments by Uhuru Kenyatta and Mwai Kibaki regimes and to explore emerging challenges in the implementations of Kenya foreign policies by Kibaki and Uhuru regimes. The study is justified as it provides an opportunity to evaluate the impacts of the individual leadership styles and priorities on foreign policy formulation and implementation. The study is significant because it will help the current and future government officials responsible for foreign affairs, diplomacy, trade, defense, and development to benefit from insights on past policies, strategies, successes, and challenges. Limitations of the study were the uavailability and unreliability of historical classified records, to mitigate this, the study employs methodological triangulation, drawing upon a wide array of declassified primary sources, secondary historical analyses, memoirs, and media archives from the period. Rational choice theory and decision making theory guided the study. The study adopted mixed method design. Questionnaires, interview guide and document analysis were used to collect data. The findings demonstrate that economic diplomacy has been a consistent pillar of Kenya’s foreign policy, transcending political transitions and reflecting a long-term commitment to trade, investment, and development goals. The findings suggest that respondents viewed Kibaki’s foreign policy as primarily economically driven rather than ideologically Pan-Africanist. The findings suggest that stakeholders generally dismissed the idea that Kenya-China relations peaked during Kenyatta’s presidency, instead viewing the engagement as part of a broader, strategic trajectory. The findings reveal that concerns over Chinese debt did not significantly erode perceptions of Kenya’s foreign policy autonomy, highlighting a sense of strategic flexibility. In conclusion, Kenya’s foreign policy has demonstrated a blend of strategic continuity and adaptive flexibility across changing administrations Kenya’s foreign policy trajectory reflects a pragmatic and interest-driven orientation that transcends ideological labels. Kenya’s foreign policy under recent administrations has reflected measured adaptability rooted in long-standing strategic goals. Kenya’s foreign policy remains strategically resilient yet exposed to evolving internal and external pressures. The study recommends that Kenya should build on the strategic continuity observed in its foreign policy. To maintain its evolving diplomatic posture, Kenya should continue to build strategic relationships with both traditional and emerging powers. Kenya should maintain a balanced and proactive foreign policy that builds on its diplomatic diversification and economic partnerships with both traditional Western allies and emerging global powers like China and India.enThesis