Welcome
Sections of the Embassy
The German Embassy in Nairobi, © German Embassy Nairobi
Political Relations between Germany and Kenya are of importance to all sections in the Embassy and are coordinated by the Ambassador. This includes the dialogue with the Kenyan government and the opposition as well as principal aspects of Kenyan domestic and foreign policy. Another task is the contact to various corporate groups such as religious institutions and non-governmental organizations. Main focus areas are also human rights issues and humanitarian assistance.
Head: Ambassador Sebastian Groth
The Federal Foreign Office and its missions abroad are committed to improving the conditions for Germany’s economic activities worldwide.
The main task of the Economic Division in Nairobi is to promote economic relations between Germany and Kenya. It serves as a point of contact for German companies that operate in Kenya, but also for those that intend to do so. Further tasks of the German Embassy include facilitating contact to Kenyan Ministries, public authorities, companies and observing the country’s economic state as well as its economic policies. The Head of the Economic Department is also available to German companies as a contact person for compliance questions.
The Embassy in Nairobi works with, among other organizations, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK) and the representatives of Germany Trade & Invest.
Contact the Economic Division
Head: Alexander Fierley
The department for economic cooperation and development is in charge of steering and coordinating Development Cooperation with Kenya and Somalia. Key functions are the official dialogue with the Governments of Kenya and Somalia and other External Development Partners as well as steering and coordination of the implementing organizations of German Development Cooperation (KfW, GIZ and others) and the projects and programmes implemented by them in cooperation with Kenyan and Somali partners. The department also coordinates the humanitarian aid provided by the German Government and exchanges with non-governmental actors.
Head Kenya: Daniel GüntherHead Somalia: Alena Kern
The Environment Section is not only the focal point for the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) but also for the bilateral relations between Germany and Kenya on environmental policy and protection and oversees the portfolio of bilateral projects.
UN Representation & Environmental Affairs Head: Dr. Martin Roew
Climate Affairs Head: Juliane Kabus
The Defence Attaché Section consists of the Defence Attaché and his assistant. The section represents the German Ministry of Defence to the Kenyan Ministry of Defence. The Defence Attaché advises in all questions of security and defence policy as well as military issues with regard to Kenya. He is also accredited to Somalia, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
Head: Commander Holger Grossmann
The Press Section coordinates the public relations of the Embassy. It is in close contact with the Kenyan and Somali press and the German correspondents accredited in Nairobi. An important task is to analyse the daily press and to monitor the situation of the Kenyan media.
The Press Section also reaches out to the local media and spreads information on relevant German issues through different channels such as social media, the Embassy website as well as print and broadcast media.Head: Julia Teyssen
The Cultural Section of the Embassy coordinates all intermediary organizations such as Goethe-Institute and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). With financial means from the German Foreign Office, it conducts its own cultural projects
Head: Kerstin Pfirrmann
The Consular Section provides services to German and foreign citizens. Among these are: Passport and ID applications, civil status matters, certification of signatures and copies, inheritance matters, Attendance of German citizens in emergency situations and of German prisoners. Head: Ira Guse
The visa section of the embassy is responsible for accepting and processing visa applications for short-term stays (up to 90 days) in the Schengen area and long-term stays in Germany. This includes visa applicants who are habitually resident in Kenya, Somalia and the Seychelles. It also covers applications for national, long-term visas from applicants living in Burundi and Eritrea.
Head: Daniel Emunds
The Administrative Section is in charge of human resources, finance, building management and general services. It has a responsibility for more than 60 staff members, about half of them foreign based, the rest being locally employed. The administrative staff is also responsible for budget planning, accounting, billing and payment services. They manage the maintenance of two buildings, the so-called chancery with the Embassy’s offices and the Ambassador's residence. Further tasks are procurement, stocking and distribution of office and IT material, access control, security, communication, transportation and mail room services.
Head: Gert Guse
The Regional Medical Office of the German Foreign Ministry for Equatorial- , East Africa and the Gulf States is based at the German Embassy in Nairobi. A full-time qualified medical physician and a medical laboratory technician operate the medical office during weekdays. Medical consultations including vaccinations are available on appointment only for all EU-citizens.
Head: Dr. Jörg Siedenburg
Ambassador Sebastian Groth is also accredited to Somalia and, accordingly, heads the team responsible for Somalia. The German Government supports Somalia through the German Development Cooperation.