Editor's Review

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Head of Public Service needs to be extremely diligent on individuals who are being posted on missions."

Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech has expressed frustration over individuals nominated for ambassadorial positions who failed to appear for vetting.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, January 16, Koech noted that some of the nominees seemed unaware of their appointments or were simply uninterested in the postings.

The lawmaker, who also serves as the chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, urged Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to avoid wasting the committee’s time by nominating individuals who lack interest in the roles.

"My committee expressed its frustration particularly where it seems that individuals who have been posted to stations are either not aware or disinterested yet somehow their names find their space in the postings. My committee is getting frustrated particularly where we could be creating an unnecessary diplomatic tiff with countries that have enjoyed relatively good relationship. 

"I know most of these appointees are appointed by the president. But it is consultation and that consultation normally happens between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Head of Public Service. I want to implore the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Head of Public Service that in future they should waste the committee's time. They need to be extremely diligent on individuals who are being posted on missions," Koech remarked.

Read More

  1. Junet Mohamed's Warning to CSs After Muturi's Statement on Son's Abduction
  2. MPs Propose Strategy for Gov't After Former CS Turns Down Ruto Appointment
  3. National Assembly Approves Nominations of Kagwe, Kabogo and Kinyanjui to Cabinet

File image of MP Nelson Koech.

His remarks came after former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Ndung'u declined President William Ruto's nomination to serve as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Ghana.   

Ndung'u failed to show up before the vetting committee and cited personal and family obligations as her reasons for turning down the nomination.   

The former CS was the second individual to decline the role of High Commissioner to Ghana.

In April 2024, former West Mugirango MP Vincent Mogaka Kemosi also turned down the same position.