MPs approve 27 ambassadorial nominees for appointment

By Peter Ochieng

Members of Parliament (MPs) have approved the nomination of 27 persons as Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Permanent Representatives of the Republic of Kenya to various foreign missions.

The House unanimously adopted a report of the Departmental Committee on Defense, Intelligence and Foreign Relations.

The Committee, chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech recommended the approval of all the ambassadorial nominees, following conclusion of vetting conducted last week.

Koech said during vetting, the nominees exhibited excellent mastery of diplomacy in different spheres, that are strategic to the Country's interests in the destinations of their proposed posting.

"All the nominees met the integrity threshold; demonstrated knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on the positions to which they had been nominated," said the MP.

On his part, Mandera North MP and Committee Vice Chair Bashir Abdullah said majority of the nominees were career diplomats, which marked a critical departure from tradition where politicians dominated ambassadorial positions.

"This actually made the Committee’s work very easy because they were composed and exhibited excellent understanding of diplomatic issues, we sought answers about," said the Vice Chair.

Those approved are Jane Ndurumo (South Africa), Isaac Keen (Nigeria), Janet Mwawasi (Rwanda), Peter Munyiri (India), Wilson Kogo (Australia), John Ekitela (Malaysia), Philip Githiora (Mozambique), Sabdiyo Dido Bashuna (Botswana), George Morara Orina (Ethiopia), Shem Amadi (DRC), Jeremy Ndola (South Sudan), Jeremy Laibutah (Sudan), George Macgoye (Djibouti) and Joyce Khasimwa M'maitsi (Angola).

Others are Kubai Iringo (Somalia), Fouzia Abass (Switzerland), Betty Chebet Cherwon (France), Fredrick Lusambili (Italy), Angelina Kavindu (Sweden), Stella Orina, (Berlin, Germany), Nairimas Sharon Ole Sein (Madrid, Spain), Maurice Makoloo (Austria), Emmy Kipsoi (Seoul, South Korea), Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange (Saudi Arabia), Albert Kendagor (Israel) and Mohamed Nur (Qatar) among others. The 27 now await formal appointment by the President William Ruto for posting to their respective destinations.