Ruto Hosts Somaliland President in State House as New Nairobi Office Causes Chaos

Kenya finds itself at the center of a brewing diplomatic storm after President William Ruto hosted Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Irro at State House, even as his government officially distanced itself from the breakaway region’s new liaison office in Nairobi.

President William Ruto on Thursday, May 29, 2025, hosted the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi in what Somaliland officials described as a “cordial and productive” meeting at State House, Nairobi.

The timing of the high-level encounter could not have been more controversial – it coincided with the inauguration of Somaliland’s liaison office in the capital, despite Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly stating it had not granted approval for the facility.

The diplomatic dance reflects Kenya’s delicate balancing act in the Horn of Africa, where it seeks to maintain ties with both Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu and the self-declared republic of Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally.

A meeting shrouded in secrecy

Unlike typical presidential meetings with foreign dignitaries, State House has remained conspicuously silent about Ruto’s encounter with President Irro.

No official statement, photographs, or details have been released by Kenyan authorities, leaving the public to rely on information from Somaliland’s spokesperson, Hussein Aden Igeh.

According to Igeh, the two leaders engaged in wide-ranging discussions covering bilateral cooperation, trade promotion, investment opportunities, economic development, and enhanced air connectivity.

The agenda also touched on regional peace and stability, education exchanges, and institutional development.

“The meeting reaffirmed the strong and longstanding relationship between Somaliland and Kenya, a partnership anchored in mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for peace, stability, and prosperity across the region,” Igeh stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The liaison office controversy

The presidential meeting occurred on the same day Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed inaugurated a liaison office in Nairobi’s Runda estate, days after Kenya said the launch lacked official approval.

The controversy began when Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strongly worded statement on May 26, 2025, distancing itself from the planned office.

“Its investiture of the status of a Diplomatic Office does not enjoy the imprimatur of the Republic of Kenya and cannot be allowed to proceed,” the ministry declared, emphasizing that Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and unity, including semi-autonomous regions of Jubaland and Somaliland, under the Federal Government in Mogadishu.

Despite this official disapproval, the inauguration proceeded as planned, with notable Kenyan leaders in attendance, creating a diplomatic paradox where Kenya simultaneously rejected the office’s diplomatic status while its officials participated in its launch.

Kenya’s relationship with Somaliland has long been a source of tension with Somalia.

In 2020, Somalia recalled its diplomats from Kenya and expelled Nairobi’s representatives following a meeting between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and then-Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi.

At the time, Mogadishu accused Kenya of “recurrent outright interference” in Somalia’s internal affairs.

The current development threatens to reignite those tensions.

Kenya and Somalia have maintained a complex relationship, cooperating in the fight against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group while disagreeing on other issues, including a maritime boundary dispute that the International Court of Justice decided in Somalia’s favor – a ruling Kenya does not recognize.

The new Somaliland leadership

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, colloquially known as Irro, has been the 6th and current President of Somaliland since 12 December 2024.

The 69-year-old politician and diplomat won around 64% of the votes in the 2024 election, far ahead of incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi, who took home just 35%.

Analysts say his ascendancy to the presidency could rejuvenate domestic and international confidence in Somaliland’s democratic processes, with his reputation as a unifier and pragmatist potentially opening new diplomatic opportunities.

Kenya’s diplomatic tightrope

Kenya’s approach to the Somaliland question reflects the broader challenges facing African nations in dealing with breakaway regions.

While officially maintaining the “One Somalia” policy, Kenya has consistently sought to please Hargeisa through various engagements, creating what appears to be a dual-track diplomacy.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry’s statement attempted to thread this needle by acknowledging Mogadishu’s legitimacy while offering “assurances of its highest consideration” to the Somaliland Liaison Office – language that suggests a willingness to engage despite the lack of formal recognition.

Moving on

As news of the State House meeting spreads, all eyes will be on Mogadishu’s response. Somalia has historically reacted strongly to what it perceives as recognition of Somaliland’s independence, and this high-level encounter between Ruto and Irro may prompt another diplomatic crisis.

The incident also raises questions about coordination within Kenya’s government, as the contradiction between the Foreign Ministry’s rejection of the liaison office and the presidential meeting suggests possible policy discord.

For Somaliland, the meeting represents a significant diplomatic win in its quest for international recognition.

Despite lacking formal diplomatic status, President Irro has managed to secure an audience with one of East Africa’s most influential leaders, potentially opening doors for similar engagements with other regional powers.

The coming days will reveal whether Kenya can maintain its delicate diplomatic balance or whether the State House meeting marks a shift toward greater recognition of Somaliland’s de facto independence – a move that would undoubtedly complicate its relationship with Somalia and potentially reshape Horn of Africa geopolitics.