Economy

Two Kenyans clinch senior positions at global bodies

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Dr Josephine Ojiambo has been appointed as deputy secretary-general (political) at the Commonwealth secretariat. FILE

Two more Kenyans have been hired to senior positions at global organisations, raising the country’s human resource profile.

Dr Josephine Ojiambo has been appointed to the Commonwealth Secretariat as the deputy secretary-general for political affairs while Macharia Kamau is the new permanent representative of Kenya to the UN as the co-facilitator of the post-2015 development agenda.

Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma on Thursday announced the hiring of Dr Ojiambo.

She joins the secretariat from the United Nations Population Fund where she served as chief of the Executive Board and External Relations Branch.

“I am delighted to welcome Josephine Ojiambo as our new deputy secretary-general overseeing our political, human rights, rule of law, and communications work,” said Mr Sharma.

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He added that the new appointee would bring to the secretariat and the Commonwealth a strong track record in leadership, strategic and operational management, among other valuable experience.

At the UN, she was in charge of the intergovernmental relations, and building of strategic relations with UN agencies, civil society and the private sector. She was formerly ambassador and deputy permanent representative of Kenya to the UN.

Dr Ojiambo’s appointment is effective from January 5, next year.

Mr Macharia’s appointment was announced by the president of the UN General Assembly. He is expected to lead intergovernmental negotiations on the adoption of post 2015 development agenda at a summit to be attended by the heads of state and government next September.

Last month, Carol Wainaina was appointed as an assistant secretary-general for human resources management at the UN.

Former Trade minister Mukhisa Kituyi was in June last year confirmed as the secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development for a four-year term.