Ruto officially appoints envoys after parliamentary vetting

President William Ruto gives his speech during the national Labour Day event at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on May 1, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Amina Wako
Saturday, May 4, 2024

In early April, Parliament vetted 26 out of 27 nominees and forwarded the names to the head of state for official appointment.

President William Ruto has officially appointed a roster of high commissioners, ambassadors, permanent representatives, and consuls-general to represent Kenya abroad, weeks after they were approved by Parliament.

In early April, Parliament vetted 26 out of 27 nominees and forwarded the names to the head of state for official appointment.

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Twenty-five out of the 26 nominees who attended approval hearings were confirmed by Parliament and are now appointed. They await swearing-in and posting, according to a May 3 Gazette notice.

The National Assembly rejected the nomination of Charles Githinji as the consul-general to Goma, the DRC, citing a lack of knowledge of the jurisdiction.

One nominee, Vincent Mogaka Kemosi, who is a former West Mugirango legislator, did not appear before the hearing committee because he rejected the job offer.

A high commissioner holds the top diplomatic post in a high commission, which is equivalent to an ambassadorship, albeit with a focus on countries within the Commonwealth.

Conversely, an ambassador serves as the principal diplomat in an embassy, representing Kenya's interests in non-Commonwealth nations.

Permanent Representatives are diplomats who represent their countries in international organisations such as the United Nations, advocating for their interests and participating in decision-making processes.

A consul-general is a diplomat who heads a consulate, which is a diplomatic mission located in a major city outside the capital of a country.

This diplomat primarily focuses on providing consular services to citizens of the appointed country who reside in or are travelling to the host country. They also promote trade, foster cultural exchanges, and handle various diplomatic matters in their assigned regions.

They report to the ambassador or high commissioner of their country's embassy or high commission in the host country.

Ruto's high commissioners are Catherine Kirumba Karemu (UK), Caroline Kamende Daudi (Canada), Joash Arthur Maangi (Uganda), Lilian Tomitom (Zambia), and and Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Peter Mbogo Njiru (Pakistan)

The ambassadors include Abdi Aden Korio (Oman), Moi Lemoshira (Japan), Christopher Andrew Lang'at (Ivory Coast), David Kiplagat Kerich (US), Peter Mutuku Mathuki (Russia), Everylyne Mwenda Karisa (Cuba), and Fred Outa (Egypt).

Others are Halima Yussuf Mucheke (Netherlands), Jessica Muthoni Gakinya (Morocco), Kenneth Milimo Nganga (UAE), Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jonah Mwangi (Iran), Anne Kisaka Nanguli (Senegal), and Timothy Kaluma Mcharo (Algeria).

The permanent representatives are Fancy Too (Geneva), Gertrude Angote (UNEP), Grace Atieno Okara (UN-HABITAT), and Ekitela Erastus Lokaale (New York), while the consuls-general are Aden Mohamud Mohamed (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), David Iboko Lokemer (Dubai, UAE), and Ezra Chiloba (Los Angeles, USA).