- He did not deny that the ambassadors had gone for six months without pay.
- In his presentation before the National Assembly committee, Mutua agreed that indeed there was some delay in the payment.
Image: HANDOUT
Foreign and diaspora affairs CS Alfred Mutua's appearance before National Assembly Committee on Defence Intelligence and Foreign Affairs on Thursday exposed the untold sufferings of Kenyan diplomats.
Chair of the committee Nelson Koech laid bare many foreign diplomats who had gone for six months without pay.
“Our attaches abroad have not been paid for the past six months. Some of them have been threatened with eviction. They are living in very deplorable conditions,” Koech told the committee when the CS appeared before them.
The committee raised concerns about how it was possible for Kenyans not paid for six months to survive.
Koech said the delay could cause unimaginable embarrassment to the country as the envoys represent the face of the country.
A diplomat who spoke to the Star confirmed that they were last paid by the regime of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The ambassador, who sought anonymity, agreed with the presentation of MP Koech on their plight saying things are getting out of hand for them.
"We were last paid by Uhuru's government. Speaking for myself and colleagues, we were last paid in September," the ambassador said.
When reached to comment on the developments, CS Mutua said they have cleared all salaries.
He did not deny that the ambassadors had gone for six months without pay.
"There was an initial delay in payments but currently, all Kenyan diplomats have been paid. We do not have a single payment. If there is, please get me specifics and I will follow up to find out why," the CS said.
In his presentation before the National Assembly committee, Mutua agreed that indeed there was some delay in the payment.
He faulted the huge borrowing spree by the past regime for the cash crunch facing the government even as he said some diplomats were being paid by different departments.
“So let’s say you’re posted in Japan. Huyu ni wa Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Amelipwa na Ministry of Foreign affairs, lakini wa Interior hajalipwa yake," he said.
"Now that is what I am trying to change. I am saying, let all the monies be brought to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and let us pay.”
Koech said the parliamentary committee will be touring foreign missions in the near future to assess the situation since many diplomats were leaving in deplorable conditions.
“We have seen his (ambassador) video clip circulating. He has gone into alcohol as a result. It is very important that we look into this,” he said.
The revelation comes hot on the heels of uproar over salary delays that hit some of the civil servants ahead of the Easter holidays.
Most of them including MPs proceeded on holidays without pay prompting the Azimio coalition to call for Kenya Revenue Authority probe.
The stalemate triggered speculations that the government could be on the verge of collapse with the opposition saying since independence, such a crisis has never been witnessed.
"For the first time since independence in 1963, the government is unable to pay salaries to civil servants and members of parliament Nearly all civil servants don't when or if they will ever be paid. The situation has been degenerating progressively since December last year," National Assembly minority Opiyo Wandayi said.
President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua however fingered the huge borrowing spree for the mess.
“It is true we are having challenges in paying salaries, giving money to governors. Because the handshake government ripped this country, they borrowed money left right and centre. Because we are a responsible government, we have to pay this money,” Gachagua said.
“What we collected the last two weeks was sufficient to pay the loans. What we are collecting this week will pay salaries and other requirements.”
Ruto maintained that he will not go back to borrowing foot the salary expense of his government.
"On the issue of delayed salaries, it is the first time this has happened but also, it is the first time we are having such monumental debts," he said.
"We are not going to borrow to spend on recurrent expenditures including salaries. We will not do that."