Kenya’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Manoah Esipisu, has been voted the 2024 Diplomat of the Year from Africa at the 2024 Diplomat of the Year Awards held this week on Monday in London.

The annual awards – which are now in their fourteenth year – are hosted by the DIPLOMAT magazine to recognize the outstanding work and achievements of London’s diplomatic community who are trying to better their nations’ well-being.

Appointed to the United Kingdom High Commissioner role in July 2018, Manoah has been pivotal in enhancing relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom across trade and investment.

“Last year was great for Kenya-UK relations. The King was hosted by our President. The King hosted the Kenyan Community in the UK. Bilateral trade continued to flourish. New climate smart projects kicked off. New jobs in agriculture in the UK came on stream. Our health partnership strengthened. Education partnerships and innovation flourished. Security and Defence Cooperation also strengthened,” Manoah said after receiving the award.

“For me, performing at the highest level is only possible for the support I get every day, from my staff at the Kenya High Commission London who are represented here.”

Commenting on the awards, DIPLOMAT’s Editor, Venetia de Blocq van Kuffeler, said: “As the global centre for diplomacy, London has become more important than ever. This is an award ceremony for diplomats, with winners chosen by diplomats. This evening is about hard work and technique. It’s about people and professionalism.”

DIPLOMAT magazine identifies 10 categories that recognise different levels of diplomacy, and winners are nominated by their peers.

The categories include: Diplomat of the Year from Africa, Diplomat of the Year from Europe, Diplomat of the Year from Asia & Oceania, Diplomat of the Year from the Middle East & North Africa, Diplomat of the Year from Eurasia & the Western Balkans, Diplomat of the Year from North America & the Caribbean, Diplomat of the Year from Central & South America, Outstanding Contribution to Climate Diplomacy, Young Diplomat of the Year, and Outstanding Contribution to Diplomacy in London.