Thursday, 4 June, 2026
The Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee has been briefed on the proposed ratification of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), a treaty aimed at strengthening the use of mediation as a preferred mechanism for resolving international disputes.
The Committee, chaired by Hon. Nelson Koech (Belgut), was apprised on details of the Convention as received from officials of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, outlining the objects, features and justification as to why Kenya should ratify the convention.
According to a memorandum submitted to Parliament by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Hon. Musalia Mudavadi on April 28, 2026, the establishment of IOMed is founded on the recognition of mediation as a viable, effective and non-adversarial means of settling disputes within the international arena.
The memorandum notes that member states of IOMed will have jurisdiction to facilitate mediation in disputes involving two or more states, disputes between a state and nationals of another state, as well as international commercial disputes involving private parties.
"IOMed Member States will have jurisdiction to resolve mediation disputes involving two or more States, a State and a national of another State and International Commercial Dispute between private parties," reads part of the memorandum.
The Ministry further argues that the organization will complement existing international dispute resolution mechanisms by providing an alternative avenue for peaceful settlement of disputes.
"The IOMed will advance and promote use of mediation, and would be a useful complement to existing international dispute settlement mechanisms, by filling the critical gap in international dispute resolution through mediation as a method of dispute settlement," the memorandum states.
Negotiations on the Convention commenced in 2023 and were successfully concluded in October 2024. The Convention establishing IOMed was formally signed on May 30, 2025, in Hong Kong, China. To date, 37 countries, including Kenya, have signed the Convention, demonstrating growing international support for mediation as a tool for conflict resolution.
Should the National Assembly approve the Convention, Kenya will be bound by its provisions under international law. Consequently, the country will not be able to invoke domestic legislation as justification for failure to fulfil obligations arising from the Convention once ratified.
The proposed ratification is expected to enhance Kenya's commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, strengthen its role in international diplomacy, and align the country with emerging global frameworks that promote mediation as a cost-effective and cooperative alternative to litigation and arbitration.
As part of the parliamentary approval process, the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee will conduct public participation and engage relevant stakeholders to gather views on the treaty before preparing and tabling its report in the National Assembly for consideration and debate.