Uncertainty as Uhuru’s envoys yet to report to stations

Uncertainty has hit the posting abroad of the ambassadors vetted by Parliament last year following reports that the envoys may have been rejected by hosting countries or delayed over logistical issues.

Sources privy to the matter say the diplomats have failed to report to work because President Uhuru Kenyatta has not commissioned them.

The ambassadors were endorsed by the parliament although the integrity of some of them was called into question, with Opposition members walking out in protest.

The National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations has held emergency meetings with senior officials in the Foreign ministry, to no avail. “We are aware of the matter but there is little we can do,” a member of the committee was reported a saying.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the committee, Mr Katoo olé Metito downplayed the matter saying that he was not aware of developments since the ambassadors were vetted, adding that their posting involves more than just the House’s approval.

“My committee vetted them based on the available documentation from authorised agencies — EACC, DCI, and KRA, among others. I am not aware of any developments after the parliamentary approval,” he said.

But Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau said the ambassadors will report to their stations anytime now, dismissing claims that they had been rejected by the host countries.

“They have all been accepted and they will be going (to their stations) in the next few weeks. We are simply observing protocol and that is normal,” Mr Kamau said.

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario, his PS Richard Ekai and former DCI boss Ndegwa Muhoro are among those facing uncertainty over their postings.

Last evening, it emerged that senior officials at the Ministry were jolted after Mr Muhoro was rejected according to sources privy to the matter

It was earlier reported that Dr Wario and Mr Ekai appointments were suspended by the president following their implications in graft charges.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *