President William Ruto has bid farewell to outgoing French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet after four years of diplomatic service in the country.
Ruto hosted Suquet at State House, Nairobi, as the envoy’s tour of duty came to an end.
The President wished the diplomat well in his next assignment at the French Foreign Ministry.
“Wished him well on his new assignment at the French Foreign Ministry,” Ruto said in a social media post.
Ruto said Kenya and France had elevated their relations to new heights in recent years, with the partnership anchored on diplomatic and economic ties, strategic investments and high-level cooperation.
The President highlighted the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi in May 2026 as one of the key milestones in the relationship between the two countries.
Ruto co-hosted the summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
It was the first time the Africa Forward Summit was held outside France or Francophone Africa.
During the summit, Kenya and France signed 11 bilateral agreements covering several areas of cooperation.
The agreements included the Sh12.5 billion Nairobi Commuter Rail upgrade, expansion of national digital connectivity, construction of a science complex at the University of Nairobi and an aviation fuel project.
Ruto said the agreements reflected the growing partnership between Nairobi and Paris.
Suquet was appointed French Ambassador to Kenya in 2022.
During his tenure, he also served as French Ambassador to Somalia and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi.
Born on November 12, 1976, Suquet became known for his close engagement with Kenya and its people.
Unlike many diplomats who leave after a posting with limited connection to their host country, Suquet made efforts to understand Kenyan culture and language.
He learnt Kiswahili during his time in the country and also attempted to master Sheng, the popular urban slang that blends Kiswahili, English and words borrowed from various Kenyan languages.
“Learning Kiswahili wasn’t rahisi but it has been a memorable journey. Kiswahili has given me the chance to learn more about this country and strengthen the urafiki between France and Kenya. Sheng bado najikaza,” he said on X.
In his farewell message, Suquet explained that he began learning Kiswahili by reading children’s books.
He said the books helped him learn animal vocabulary, which later proved useful during game drives.
He eventually progressed to real-life conversations in Kiswahili with his teacher, Kings.
Suquet said he particularly enjoyed Kenyan methali because of the wisdom contained in them.
“I particularly enjoyed the meanings of methali that carry a lot of wisdom. Take this one, for instance: Akili ni nywele, kila mtu ana zake! I was reassured that the proverb still works even if you are bald!” he said.
Despite his progress in Kiswahili, Suquet admitted that Sheng remained a challenge.
“However, one frustration still remains; my command of Sheng is still pretty shaky. Learning Sheng was a whole different experience. It’s a language that keeps evolving,” he said.
Suquet is a seasoned diplomat whose career has focused on international cooperation, sustainable development and peace across Africa and Europe.
Before his appointment to Kenya in 2022, he held senior diplomatic positions in Sudan, Ethiopia and at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union.
He also served as Political Adviser to the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa.
Suquet studied at Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence and has been involved in efforts to promote partnerships focused on resilience, climate action and inclusive growth.
His assignment in Kenya involved advancing France’s foreign policy and strengthening bilateral relations with Kenya and Somalia.
The partnership covered political, economic, cultural, scientific and security matters.
From the French Embassy in Nairobi, Suquet also oversaw diplomatic engagements between France and the two East African countries.
Suquet’s interest in Kenya extended beyond official diplomatic engagements.
He developed a close association with Swahilipot Hub, a non-profit organisation in Mombasa that provides young people with opportunities to learn, connect and build careers.
Swahilipot Hub hosted a farewell event in his honour on July 8, 2026.
The organisation celebrated what it described as a partnership built around collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to empowering young people and communities.
Suquet thanked the organisation for the farewell event and called for the partnership to be strengthened.
“Asante sana Swahilipothub kwa sherehe hii ya kuondoka! I could not have got a better farewell! Great partnership that needs to be reinforced further. Always rewarding to engage candidly with the young ppl of Mombasa,” he said.
As he prepared to leave Kenya, Suquet reflected on his four years in the country and the relationships he had built.
He said Kenya had become a special place for him and would remain close to his heart.
“As I prepare to bid Kenya farewell, I have come to realise some places never truly leave us. For me, Kenya has been one of those places,” he said.
Suquet said he would particularly miss Nairobi’s welcoming character and vibrant urban culture.
“I will dearly miss this city’s welcoming charm and vibrant urban culture. Nairobi ni home!” he said.
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