For information only – not an official document
UNIS/BIO/1471
14 May 2026
(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)
VIENNA, 14 May (UN Information Service) – The new Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (Vienna), Edwin Afande, presented his credentials today to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Monica Juma.
During his career, Mr. Afande, who is also Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to other International Organizations in Vienna, has served in various capacities, among them:
Ambassador/Deputy High Commissioner and Ag. High Commissioner, Kenya High Commission in London, United Kingdom (2024 – 2025); Ambassador/Deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires in Beijing, China (2022 – 2023); Director of Bilateral and Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2021 – 2022); Director, Office of the Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2019 – 2020); Counsellor for Political Affairs and Head of Chancery, Kenya High Commission in Ottawa, Canada (2013 – 2019); Assistant Director for Foreign Service; Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Trade (2010 – 2013); Counsellor, Kenya High Commission in Lusaka, Zambia (2006 – 2010); Senior Foreign Service Officer, Asia and Multilateral diplomacy desk South Sudan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2003 – 2006); Second Secretary, Kenya High Commission in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania (2002 – 2003); Third Secretary, Kenya Embassy in Bonn and Berlin, Germany (1997 – 2002); and Assistant Secretary, Africa Desk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1995 – 1997).
Mr. Afande completed his Postgraduate Studies in Armed Conflict and Peace Studies at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a Master of Arts in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Howard University in Washington D.C., United States of America.
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"This year’s theme, “At the Heart of Democracy”, is a powerful reminder that each and every person must be able to live free from fear, and participate equally in society." — António Guterres
The new Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (Vienna), Edwin Afande, presented his credentials today to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Monica Juma.
Monica Juma is the Director-General/Executive Director of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV)/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). She assumed office on 11 May 2026 and holds the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Monica Juma of Kenya assumed office today as the new Director-General of the UN Office at Vienna and Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), following her appointment by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
