Kenyan High Commissioner presents credentials amid Uganda House fire investigation

Kenya's new High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi, presented his credentials to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Friday, a few weeks after assuming his duties in Kampala.

This event takes place amid ongoing investigations into the torching of Uganda House in Nairobi, which was set ablaze in late June, just four days before its scheduled commissioning.

The incident has attracted significant scrutiny and speculation, with sources in Uganda suggesting that the investigations aim to determine if the act was intended to harm the relationship between Nairobi and Kampala.

Maangi, a former Kisii Deputy Governor, was appointed by President Ruto after a thorough vetting process.

During this process, he addressed the influential defence, intelligence, and foreign relations committee, where he was questioned about his plans to ease tensions over the Migingo Island issue and to ensure that Kenyan fishermen are treated fairly by Ugandan authorities.

The relations between Kenya and Uganda have seen ups and downs, with the recent burning of Uganda House being a notable event that nearly strained their ties. Despite this, Kampala has reaffirmed its strong relationship with Nairobi.

"The government of the Republic of Uganda would like to categorically state that our relations with the government and indeed the people of the Republic of Kenya remain solid," read a statement released by Uganda's foreign ministry in late June.

Nairobi has not issued any public statement regarding the incident.

Kampala has lacked high-level diplomatic representation in Kenya for over a year following the death of Uganda's High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Hassan Galiwango, in January of the previous year.