The choice of Dr Omamo as the Defence Secretary nominee shows that the docket is more about diplomatic manoeuvring than previously thought.
With her legal background and recent experience as an ambassador, Dr Omamo will have to put her experience in diplomatic circles in dealing with the sensitive docket given Kenya’s central position in the fight against terrorism and extremism in the Horn of Africa.
Her in-tray is already full, given that she now has to oversee the ongoing military campaign against Al-Shabaab extremists in Somalia, Kenya’s first military campaign on foreign soil.
Also, Dr Omamo will join the powerful National Security Council that will bring her to the heart of the presidency and national and regional intelligence.
In her new role, Dr Omamo will also work hand in hand with the Secretary for Foreign Affairs in dealing with the security collaborations with neighbouring countries, in stemming flow of small arms and banditry.
Kenya also has extensive security ties with major western powers, USA and UK, which hold regular troop training in Kenya and are a key source of Kenya’s military equipment purchases.
Her diplomacy skills will come in handy when dealing with these partners, where she has to balance between their interests and those of the eastern countries like China which are keen to play a sizeable role in the provision of military hardware.
Dr Omamo, a law degree graduate from University of Kent, has served in several ambassadorial posts in the past including Portugal, France, Serbia and The Vatican and as the country’s permanent representative to Unesco.
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