Election Losers Considered for Ambassador Jobs

The list of the new envoys remains closely guarded but sources within the Presidency have revealed that the postings are ready and the names will be made public next week.

The list, according to sources includes some politicians closely associated with Jubilee, some former Permanent Secretaries and government technocrats.

Some 39 ambassadors, high commissioners and head of consulates were recalled and were expected in the country by yesterday.

Former Environment Minister Chirau Mwakwere is said to be among those who are being considered for the jobs having served as an ambassador before.

Also said to be on the list is former Finance Minister Amos Kimunya who like Mwakwere were among the veteran politicians who lost in the March 4 elections.

Former Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa is also among those who are said to be among those been considered even after falling out with Uhuru and Ruto just before the election.

The two Jubilee leaders had also approached presidential losers but all of them are said to have declined the offer for state jobs.

Former Mutito MP, now the Narc party leader Kiema Kilonzo denied he was headed for a plum ambassadorial appointment though he confirmed that he was been considered.

Kiema who has been in London for the last few weeks said he’s gone back to private business and he is comfortable there.

“I know they are considering me but I can tell you I am not interested at the moment. I have gone back to business and I am very busy there. I remain a politician and I have told them that I will help out politically when I have the time,” he said from London.

Together with Charity Ngilu who is now a cabinet secretary for lands and housing, Kiema was the face of Jubilee in the largely “corded” region of Ukambani.

Former assistant minister Ndiritu Muriithi who lost in the March 4 poll laughed off the suggestion that he was being considered for an ambassadorial position.

He said he had retreated to the private sector and confessed that he had not been approached.

“I have no idea at all… I can also tell you that I am not looking for a public appointment,” he said.

Muriithi was among a group of youthful MPs who founded UDF, which former deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi ran for presidency with in the March 4 poll. Others were former Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohamed who is now working with the Jubilee government as a presidential advisor.

Unlike before, all the new ambassadors will have to go through parliamentary vetting before they are formally appointed by the president.

Articles 132 (2) of the Constitution places the prerogative of nominating and appointing cabinet secretaries, AG, secretary to the cabinet, principal secretaries, high commissioners, ambassadors, diplomatic and consular representatives with the president.

There are over 60 Kenyan foreign missions manned by high commissioners, consular representatives, diplomatic representatives and ambassadors. Technically, their positions are vacant.

Among the most vital diplomatic postings include Washington, London, Beijing, Nigeria, Stockholm, Ethiopia and Berlin.

The Washington posting is highly rated because the city is the seat of the only world super power- the US. The mission also serves Mexico and Columbia.

Apart from Sweden, the Kenyan mission in Stockholm also serves Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Beijing on the other hand serves the world largest and fastest growing economy- China.

Nigerian mission is strategic owing to the population and size of the country. Besides, the ambassador there serves almost the whole of Western Africa including Ivory Coast, Togo, Ghana and Liberia.