MPs approve Ruto's envoy nominees, but raise concern over short tenures

Members of Parliament have approved three of President William Ruto’s diplomatic nominees, paving the way for their formal appointment.  

The approved nominees include Ababu Namwamba as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Andrew Karanja as Ambassador to Brasilia-Brazil, and Noor Gabow as Consul-General to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  

While supporting the appointments, Minority Leader Junet Mohammed criticised the government for frequently "recycling" public servants instead of prioritising qualified Kenyans outside the public service.  

“I want competent Kenyans to get these positions. Foreign Affairs is about diplomatic relations, not just appointing a former Cabinet Secretary who was even sacked,” Junet said.  

He also questioned the practice of nominating individuals without confirming their willingness to serve, referencing previous nominees who had declined their appointments, in the case of former ICT CS Margaret Nyambura.

“Before sending a name to the House for approval, why not confirm if the nominee is interested in the job?” he posed.

Due Diligence

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, Nelson Koech, criticised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Head of Public Service for failing to conduct due diligence on nominees.  

“We have competent officers stagnating at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, eager to serve this country abroad. Let’s not embarrass the President by nominating individuals who decline the appointments. Do your due diligence,” said Koech.

His remarks referenced former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, who recently declined her nomination as Kenya’s ambassador to Ghana, citing personal and family reasons.  
The Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations vetted Namwamba, Karanja, and Gabow on January 10.

In a report to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, the committee stated that it followed the guidelines outlined in the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Sections 6 (7) and 6 (8), which define the vetting criteria.  

“The nominees’ suitability for the offices they were nominated to was assessed through a thorough review of their qualifications and their performance during the hearings.”

The nominees now await formal appointment by President Ruto.