The Kenyan community living in Germany has raised concerns about the performance of their country’s representation in Berlin, with a growing number now demanding the immediate recall of Ambassador Stella Mokaya Orina. Members of the diaspora argue that the embassy has fallen short in delivering essential services, leaving many feeling frustrated and neglected.
Their grievances focus on delays in passport renewals, poor communication, and a lack of support in dealing with consular matters that directly affect their lives abroad.
The dissatisfaction has not been hidden, with Kenyans in Germany using social media platforms and community forums to share their experiences.
These conversations have built momentum for the push to have Mokaya removed, with some citing that the embassy has become ineffective in addressing even the most basic needs of Kenyan citizens.
Complaints of unresponsive staff and long waiting periods for appointments have become common, further fueling the sense of abandonment among expatriates.
This development is not entirely new, as Mokaya has previously faced public hostility during her tenure.
In October 2024, she was heckled at a Berlin event where Kenyans interrupted her speech with chants of “Ruto Must Go.”
The incident not only embarrassed her as a diplomat but also highlighted how dissatisfaction with the government at home has extended to the diaspora.
These chants were a reflection of wider protests that had swept across Kenya from mid-2024 after the controversial finance bill introduced tax increases on basic items.
Those demonstrations, driven mainly by young Kenyans, escalated into nationwide demands for accountability and better governance.
The violent response by security forces, which resulted in deaths and injuries, only deepened the anger, with the diaspora amplifying the same calls for change.
Mokaya, who presented her credentials to the German president in March 2024, holds responsibility not only for Germany but also Poland and the Czech Republic.
With her background in foreign service and international law, she was expected to strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic and trade ties in Europe.
Indeed, Kenya and Germany share long-standing partnerships in development, education, and climate initiatives, and Mokaya has participated in high-level meetings and events, including the ITB Berlin tourism fair.
However, the Kenyan community argues that her focus on diplomacy has overshadowed the everyday support needed by ordinary citizens abroad.
Ruto’s September 2024 visit to Germany also complicated matters, as he signed a migration deal that diaspora critics saw as prioritizing deportation of undocumented Kenyans over protection of their rights.
Many felt the embassy failed to cushion them from the fallout of this agreement, which later coincided with more visa rejections at the German embassy in Nairobi.
To them, this reinforced the sense that the embassy under Mokaya’s leadership had lost touch with the needs of Kenyans abroad.
Petitions are now circulating among Kenyan groups in Berlin and other German cities, calling for her recall and the appointment of a more responsive representative.
Supporters of this move believe a change would help rebuild trust and create a stronger relationship between the embassy and the estimated 20,000 Kenyans living in Germany.
They point to examples in other countries where embassies have worked closely with the diaspora on community programs and cultural exchanges.
While Mokaya has engaged in positive initiatives, including meetings with German officials on sustainable development, these steps have done little to silence the criticism.
For many, the embassy appears to prioritize political image and high-level diplomacy while leaving everyday struggles unresolved.
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