State officials were on Friday on the spot as MPs raised concerns after a second nominee declined nomination to represent the country in Accra, Ghana.
The lawmakers sitting at the National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations committee turned heat on the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and Foreign Affairs committee for embarrassing the President.
Committee chairman Nelson
Koech said Koskei’s office should
conduct due diligence before nomination of individuals to serve in
various capacities.
This followed a move by former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura’s to reject her nomination to Accra, Ghana.
Last year, former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi declined his nomination as the country’s High Representative to the African country.
Koech said it was regrettable that for a second time, a nominee has declined the Ghana job.
“It is imperative for this committee that we put notice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of Public Service that they should do their due diligence in future when doing this appointment,” Koech added.
“The picking of names of individuals who probably may not have been consulted or have no interest to represent our country is not only an embarrassment to the country but an embarrassment to the President.”
“We want to put on notice that this exercise of dropping names of individuals not interested in being diplomats should stop and we should be more cautious and intentional in looking for people who have interest to serve the country and to represent the President.
“It is extremely embarrassing that for the second time, a nominee to the High commission of Ghana has decline. As a committee we do not take that very lightly.”
The Belgut lawmaker said there are many Kenyans who are willing to serve in those capacities and the two offices should do due diligence before presenting names to the President.
In declining here nomination, Nyambura said her decision was occasioned by personal and compelling family matters.
“I would like to give appreciation for the invitation to appear before the committee on January 10, 2025. Pursuant to section 6 ( 10 ) of the public appointment, parliamentary approval Act of 2011, I wish to inform you that I will not appear before the said committee at the time and venue for the approval hearing,” Nyambura said in the letter.
“After taking into consideration these matters, they will not allow me to take up the position of the High Commissioner to Ghana as nominated by his Excellency the President on November 19, 2024.
“To save the precious time of the committee, kindly take note that this letter serves as a notice not to appear. Thank you for the invitation,” she added.
Nyambura was appointed to the Cabinet following the youth-led countrywide protests and nominated on December 20, 2024 to represent the country in Ghana.
She served at the ICT for four months. Other nominated included Ababu Namwamba (United Nations Office, Nairobi), Andrew Karanja (Brazil) and Noor Gabbow (Haiti).
Koech-led committee was on Fri-
day carrying out approval hearing for
the four nominees nominated by the
President to represent the country in
various countries.
