State recalls envoys ahead of shake-up

Cabinet to the secretary nominee Francis Kimemia before the committee on administration and national security chaired by Asman Kamama at Continental house on May 24 2013. Some 39 ambassadors and high commissioners have been recalled as President Kenyatta prepares to assemble a new diplomatic team to champion Kenya’s foreign policy. PHOTO/PHOEBE OKALL   NATION

By ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.nationmedia.com AND EDITH FORTUNATE efortunate@ke.nationmedia.com
Thursday, June 20  2013

In Summary

• Kenya’s ambassador to Washington DC, Mr Elkanah Odembo, Consular-General in Los Angeles, Dr Akinyi Odinga and High Commissioner to Canada, Mr Simon Nabukwesi are among those ordered to return home.
• The posts are reportedly reserved for those who lost in the elections. Former Cabinet Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Eugene Wamalwa are among those who could benefit from the diplomatic postings.

Some 39 ambassadors and high commissioners have been recalled as President Kenyatta prepares to assemble a new diplomatic team to champion Kenya’s foreign policy.

The Nation Thursday established that each of the targeted diplomats, most of whom had completed their tenures, had received instructions to hand over to their deputies and return home.

Their replacements could be named next month.

Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia first wrote to them over a month ago.

His letter was followed up by another with similar instructions by the new Director of Political Affairs at the ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Robert Ngesu, this week.

Kenya’s ambassador to Washington DC, Mr Elkanah Odembo, Consular-General in Los Angeles, Dr Akinyi Odinga and High Commissioner to Canada, Mr Simon Nabukwesi are among those ordered to return home.

Others are Mr Geoffrey Okanga (Uganda), Mr Mutinda Mutiso (Tanzania), Mr Richard Ekai (Thailand), Mr Dave Arunga (Egypt), Mr David Njoka (India), Mr John Abduba (Zimbabwe), Mr Lazarus Amayo (Zambia), Mr James Chepsongol (Namibia), Mr John Kakonge (Switzerland), Mr Ephraim Ngare (United Kingdom), Mr Benjamin Mweri (Burundi) and Mr Joseph Kiplangat (South Sudan).

The recalled diplomats’ redeployment or otherwise was not clear.

Hand over to deputy

Thursday, Mr Odembo confirmed that he had been ordered to hand over to his newly-posted deputy, Ms Jean Kamau.

“I have also received two letters, one from Mr Kimemia and the other from ambassador Ngesu on Monday this week. I further received a call from Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi instructing me to prepare and hand over to Ms Jean Kamau who is the Deputy Head of Mission,” Mr Odembo told the Nation on phone.

He confirmed that he will be finalising on his exit next week so as to leave the mission to its next tenant.

There has been a tug-of-war over the appointment of envoys playing out in government as senior State officials lobby for their favoured candidates to be named to strategic positions.

However, officials of the ministry are said to be pushing for career diplomats to take charge of the country’s diplomacy as opposed to political appointees.

The decision caused a temporary stand-off between influential government officials at the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A month before former President Kibaki left office, a number of diplomatic appointments were made, raising eyebrows on their motives.

The February appointments affected some seasoned diplomats who were recalled much earlier or moved to other missions.

Mr Thomas Amolo previously in Pretoria was moved to Lagos to pave the way for Mr Patrick Wamoto who has already arrived in South Africa, while Ms Koki Muli was posted to New York as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Advertise positions

Sources at the President’s office revealed that the process of appointing new diplomats would be concluded before the end of the month and they would be posted by July 15.

It is unclear whether President Kenyatta would choose to have the positions advertised and candidates subjected to a competitive recruitment process.

Key missions such as New York and Beijing are said to have been reserved for allies of the President and his Deputy William Ruto.

The posts are reportedly reserved for those who lost in the elections. Former Cabinet Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Eugene Wamalwa are among those who could benefit from the diplomatic postings.

Section 132 (2) of the Constitution states that the President shall nominate and with the approval of the National Assembly, appoint, and may dismiss high commissioners, ambassadors and diplomatic and consular representatives