Josephine Ojiambo picked to Commonwealth secretariat

A Kenyan has been appointed as deputy secretary-general (political) at the Commonwealth secretariat.

Dr Josephine Ojiambo, daughter to politician and scholar Professor Julia Ojiambo, will manage the political, human rights, rule of law and communications docket at the secretariat.

“Dr Ojiambo comes to the Commonwealth Secretariat from the United Nations Population Fund where she has been serving as Chief of the Executive Board and External Relations Branch with responsibility for intergovernmental relations, and also for building strategic relations with United Nations (UN) agencies, civil society and the private sector,” read a statement from Commonwealth.

Her appointment takes effect from January 5, 2015.

Ms Ojiambo has previously served as the ambassador and deputy permanent representative of Kenya to UN. Her diplomatic experience runs a span of 25 years in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

“I’m delighted to welcome Josephine Ojiambo. She will bring to the Secretariat and the Commonwealth a strong track record in leadership, strategic and operational management and an impressive versatility of high level experience and skills appropriate for the position,” said Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth secretary-general.

Commonwealth is an intergovernmental organisation formerly constituting of British colonial territories. Its secretariat helps in advising partner states on policy development and formulating decisions among other diplomacy roles.

Ms Ojiambo becomes the second Kenyan this year to be picked to a high position. Recently, Carole Wainaina was appointed as assistant secretary-general for Human Resources Management, Department of Management by the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, another Kenyan, is the secretary-general of United Nations conference on trade and development (UNCTAD).