Kenya’s nominee for ambassador to Burundi Henry Wambuma
By Times Reporter
Kenya’s nominee for ambassador to Burundi has pledged to use the Naivasha dry port to win back Burundi’s cargo business from Tanzania’s Port of Dar es Salaam.
Henry Wambuma, the Acting Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the National Assembly’s vetting panel on Wednesday, August 3, that transport costs and recent upgrades at Dar es Salaam had drawn Burundi away from the Port of Mombasa.
“The cost of transport from the Port of Mombasa to Burundi was a factor. After the Port of Dar es Salaam was refurbished, causing increased competition.
But with the dry port in Naivasha, if approved, I would leverage it and attract Burundi back to Kenyan ports,” said Wambuma.
Wambuma was nominated in August 2025 by President William Ruto as part of a wider diplomatic reshuffle.
If approved, he will take up the posting in Bujumbura.
A career civil servant with more than 30 years of experience, Wambuma previously served as Deputy Director in the Ministry’s Asia and Pacific Directorate.
He holds master’s degrees in strategic and security studies and in international conflict management.
In his current role, he has received the credentials of newly appointed envoys to Kenya, including the ambassador-designate of South Korea in February 2025.
The National Assembly will decide whether to confirm his nomination.
