It has been revealed that 8 months later some of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s appointed ambassadors haven’t taken their foreign envoy roles.
Among those said to be affected is former DCI boss Ndegwa Muhoro who had been proposed to become Kenya’s ambassador to Malaysia.
Muhoro was vetted and approved by Parliament despite passionate opposition from city lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi who accused the former sleuth of corruption.
Malaysia took an extra tough stance against graft following the election of Mahathir bin Mohamad as Prime Minister.
Johnson Kimani Ondieki, who had been proposed to serve as Kenya’s Ambassador to Turkey is also yet to get approval from the host nation.
Ondieki is an ex-KDF general who had been appointed to lead the UN’s military force in South Sudan. He was relieved off his duties in controversial circumstances.
Paddy Ahenda is also yet to get clearance from Qatar while some of the Ambassadors have not taken office despite getting clearance from their host nations.
Hassan Wario and Richard Ekai left Austria and Russia respectively before they could submit their credentials to their host heads of states after they were charged with corruption-related charges.
International law requires Kenya, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to write to the country the appointee is headed to and forward the new name.
The host country then profiles and do due diligence on the person appointed before getting back to the government. It can either accept or reject the nominee without giving reasons.