Engagements

Kaberia's engagements span strategic leadership, economic development, diplomacy, sports, and foreign-service training. Explore each category below.

National Defence College | 3 November 2021

While serving as Principal Secretary for Industrialization, Investment and Trade, Kaberia delivered a lecture to a senior strategic course at the National Defence College.

The lecture addressed national leadership and strategic policy discussions, reflecting his engagement with Kenya's highest levels of strategic thinking and defence policy.

Institutional Record: National Defence College records preserve his role as a speaker and policy communicator.

Japan | July 2022

The Embassy of Japan in Kenya records the Third Japan-Kenya Business Dialogue, which brought together Kenyan and Japanese government, investment, development and business institutions.

Key discussion points included:

• The Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone
• Bilateral investment opportunities
• Development cooperation between Kenya and Japan

The record identifies Kaberia in the proceedings, demonstrating his active participation in international economic engagement while serving in the industrialisation portfolio.

Kenya | June 2023

The Kenya School of Government's bulletin records an Operationalization of the Foreign Service Institute Academy workshop led by Ambassador Kirimi Kaberia, Director General of the Foreign Service Academy.

The workshop discussed:

• The Academy's role in preparing diplomats for a changing international environment
• Evolving global diplomatic challenges
• Capacity building for Kenya's foreign service
• Strategic training for newly appointed envoys

19 April 2002

An archival record identifies Africa's Economic Future as an essay co-authored by Peter Burgess and Kirimi Kaberia, prepared for an INR Roundtable.

The ideas were framed around concepts supported by the African Trade Consultants Network, a community of mainly African professionals in Africa and the diaspora.

This engagement reflects his early participation in discussions of African economic development and international political economy.

2017–2020

As Principal Secretary for Sports, Arts & Culture, Kaberia's engagement included:

2017 IAAF World U18 Championships

Kenya hosted the international athletics championship, demonstrating the country's capacity to host major sporting events.

2020 World U20 Championships

World Athletics subsequently awarded Nairobi the hosting rights for the 2020 World U20 Championships.

WRC Safari Rally Return (2018–2019)

On 22 June 2018, Kaberia led the Kenyan delegation to Paris and signed the Event Promotion Agreement with WRC Promoter, in the presence of FIA President Jean Todt. The agreement made the Safari Rally an official WRC Candidate Event — the first concrete step toward returning the legendary rally to the world championship after its removal in 2002.

Kaberia was quoted at the signing: "Our Government is very committed to the Safari Rally and we will do everything in our power to make sure this great event is brought back to the WRC."

He subsequently oversaw the 2019 Candidate Event at Kasarani Stadium, where FIA delegates assessed Kenya's compliance with world championship requirements. In September 2019, FIA officially reinstated the Safari Rally to the WRC calendar for 2020 — marking the championship's return to Africa for the first time since 2002.

Kenya–Japan Olympic Preparation Agreement

A diplomatic record from Kenya's Embassy in Japan documents an agreement involving Kurume/Fukuoka and preparations for Kenya's Olympic and Paralympic teams, demonstrating Kenya's use of sports diplomacy under Kaberia's leadership as Principal Secretary.

Les Aspin Center for Government | Marquette University

While serving as Kenya's Ambassador to Brazil, Kaberia was associated with the Les Aspin Center's African leadership work.

The programme had by 2011 reached hundreds of African government officials and NGO leaders, reflecting his commitment to strengthening governance and leadership capacity across the continent.

2011 Founder's Award

On 29 September 2011, Marquette University announced that its Les Aspin Center would present its Founder's Award to Kaberia at a Washington luncheon, recognizing his work in African leadership development and diplomatic engagement.

South America | 2011–2016

As Kenya's Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to Brazil, with concurrent accreditation to Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Peru, Kaberia engaged in:

• Business and trade promotion
• Agricultural cooperation
• Tourism development
• Technology partnerships
• Bilateral cooperation between Kenya and South American nations

Deputy Ambassador Postings

In addition to his ambassadorial role, Kaberia served as Deputy Ambassador in diplomatic postings across France, Portugal, Holy See, Spain, and the United States, building Kenya's bilateral relationships with key European and North American partners.

Colombia (2016)

A Colombian Foreign Ministry record documents bilateral discussions, shortly before his move into Kenya's defence administration.

Foreign Service Academy | 2023–Present

As Director General of the Foreign Service Academy, Kaberia leads the institution responsible for preparing Kenya's diplomats for a changing international environment.

December 2023

A report on President William Ruto's meeting with newly appointed envoys identifies Kaberia as Director-General of the Foreign Service Academy and reports that the envoys had undergone training at the Academy before deployment.