Kenya is exploring diplomatic relations with Somaliland after dispatching an emissary to set up a mission in the capital city of Hargeisa.

Kenya will join Ethiopia and Djibouti as some of the countries with diplomatic missions in Somaliland.

The Foreign Affairs ministry directed Mr Philip Mundia Githiora to establish the mission after talks between Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma and new Somaliland envoy to Kenya Omar Bashe.

Dr Juma also had a meeting with the immediate former Somaliland Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Saad Ali Shire.

Consequently, Dr Juma wrote a letter to Head of Civil Service Joseph Kinyua proposing the setting up of a mission in the self-declared state led by President Muse Bihi Abdi.

“We have a long history with Kenya dating back to colonial days. The move by Kenya to open a mission in Hargeisa will be a massive boost to our economic and social transactions,” Mr Bashe, who has been pursuing the matter for about 10 months, said.