Ruto Recalls Envoy From France Ahead Of Looming Changes

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed that Wakhungu was recalled on the basis of the conclusion of her tenure.

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Jun 26, 2023 - 16:43 Updated: Jun 26, 2023 - 16:51
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Ruto Recalls Envoy From France Ahead Of Looming Changes
President William Ruto (Left) and former Kenyan Ambassador to France Judi Wakhungu (Right). /PCS.JUDI WAKHUNGU

President William Ruto on Monday, June 26 recalled France Ambassador Judi Wakhungu in uncertain circumstances, amidst the persistent anxiety over the appointment of diplomats.

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed that Wakhungu was recalled on the basis of the conclusion of her tenure.

He furthermore disclosed that the tenures of several other diplomats have elapsed and that the President will soon make the necessary changes.

“Once the appointing authority makes a decision on persons to represent the country in different diplomatic missions, new postings will be made. My hope is that this will happen soon,” Sing’oei told the Nation.

Judi Wakhungu with President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House during a past address. /FILE

Wakhungu, a former Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, remained in office even though she served in former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration which elapsed in August 2022.

She was appointed as Ambassador to France by Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on February 26, 2018, after serving as a Tourism Cabinet Secretary for five years.

The recall came four days after President Ruto visited France where he was hosted by President Emmanuel Macron during a panel discussion in Paris.

Kenyan Embassy in Paris, including Ambassador Wakhungu, played a significant role in the arrangement and management of the issues presented by a delegation to the New Global Financial Pact.

The process of appointing Kenyan ambassadors begins with the nomination by the President after which the list of nominees is submitted to the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations (DFDR) of the National Assembly.

The DFDR then invites the candidates for a vetting process of the nominees, which includes reviewing their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the positions.

DFDR Committee then forwards the names of the nominees for ratification or adoption by Members of Parliament. If the nominees are approved by the National Assembly, the President appoints them as ambassadors.

A number of politicians in Kenya Kwanza who backed President Ruto’s election are among other individuals expected to land the ambassadorial positions, even as the President is said to be keen on professionalising diplomatic missions.

Key figures in Kenya Kwanza who are being touted for ambassadorial jobs include Dr Joseph Magut who once served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Germany, Dr Irene Asienga, Dr Robert Muriithi and Dr Crispin Bokea.

National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Chairman Nelson Koech expressed the need to have professional diplomats appointed ambassadors instead of politicians.

“As a committee, we would wish to see experts appointed to these positions in line with the Kenya Kwanza foreign policy to spur regional and global economic development and boost our international relations,” said Koech.

Some of the politicians who are hoping for selection as ambassadors include former nominated MP Gideon Keter, ex-governors Okoth Obado (Migori), James Ongwae (Kisii) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), former Chengany MP Joshua Kutuny and ex-East Africa Legislative Assembly MP Simon Mbugua.

Others are former governors William Kabogo and Ferdinand Waititu of Kiambu, Mike Sonko (Nairobi) and former Jubilee Party chairman Nelson Dzuya.

Judi Wakhungu with Ken Okoth during his visit to France in 2019. /FILE

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