MPs disagree on three of Uhuru diplomatic nominees

The fate of three of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s nominees for ambassadorial positions could be decided by MPs Wednesday afternoon after a parliamentary vetting committee failed to agree on their suitability.

Members of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Tetu MP Ndung’u Gethenji were yet to agree on the appointment of former nominated MP Sheikh Dor, Richard Opembe and Sophie Kadzo Kombo.

President Kenyatta nominated Sheikh Dor as Kenya’s ambassador to Oman, Mr Opembe to Ireland and Ms Kombo to Zambia.

“We are still haggling over three nominees for ambassadors. We have raised very serious objections based on their presentations before us during vetting exercise, qualifications and experience,” a member of the committee who asked not to be named told the Business Daily last evening.

Parliament reconvenes Wednesday morning for a special session called by Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi to debate and approve the nominees to various missions abroad.

The committee is expected to table its report on the nominees for approval or disapproval in the afternoon.

“I wrote to the Speaker requesting for a special sitting and I am glad the Speaker responded in time and tomorrow (Wednesday) MPs will have a special sitting to approve the President’s nominees,” Majority Leader Aden Duale said.

During the week-long vetting of 25 nominees to head various Kenyan missions abroad, Mr Opembe and Sheikh Dor were at pains to explain their educational qualifications.

Mr Opembe, a close political ally of Mr Kenyatta, confessed to the committee he holds a diploma in sales and marketing. He said given the chance, he would pursue a bachelor’s degree in commerce that he has already enrolled in, although he did not give the name of the institution.

He also faces the challenge where the 10th Parliament adopted a report calling for the closure of the mission in Ireland for “not serving any commercial or economic value”. The House resolution has not been acted upon by the Executive.

Sheikh Dor, whose remarks over financing of secessionist group MRC came back to haunt him at the vetting exercise, also failed to indicate whether or not he had a degree. However, he informed the House team that he was an accountant by profession.

It was not clear why the committee was divided over the nomination of Ms Kombo.

During her vetting, Ms Kombo was asked to explain if the nomination was a reward for being a strong supporter of the Jubilee government.
The nominee vied on a URP ticket for the position of women representative but lost to Aisha Katana of ODM.

“I believe my nomination was based on my integrity and suitability for the position and not on my political affiliations,” she told the committee.
The committee scrutinised the suitability or otherwise of the nominees and will this morning make recommendations to the House.

Former Cabinet ministers Sam Ongeri (UN Habitat), Chirau Mwakwere (Tanzania), Mohammud Mohammed (Saudi Arabia) and Robinson Githae (US) were nominated.

Others are former MP Kiema Kilonzo (Turkey), Lucy Chelimo (Canada), George Masafu (DRC), Julius Bitok (Sudan), Joseph Magut (Germany), Isaac Njenga (Namibia), Joff Otieno (Egypt), Ndungu Karau (Switzerland), Rukia Subow (Iran) and Mohammed Gello (South Korea).

Ambassadors Jean Kamau (Thailand), Josphat Maikara (Angola), Lazurus Ameyo (UK), John Lenyasuna (Algeria), Solomon Maina (Japan), Ali Abbas (Kuwait), Richard Lemoshira (Zimbabwe) and George Godia (Unesco) were redeployed.

MPs are expected to also approve the appointment of Major General Philip Wachira Kameru as the new National Intelligence Service director general. The new intelligence chief takes over from Michael Gichangi who resigned last month.

During the vetting of nominees to the cabinet, Mr Duale marshaled Jubilee coalition members to overturn the report of the committee on Appointments which had rejected the appointment of East African Community, Commerce and Tourism minister cabinet secretary Phyllis Kandie.