Kenyan diplomats fight over London post

There was confusion at the Kenya High Commission in London last week after Joseph Kirugumi Muchemi insisted he was the official Kenyan envoy to the United Kingdom despite having been recalled. But, even as Mr Muchemi maintained he was still the boss, his deputy Addison Chebukaka told the Sunday Nation that Mr Muchemi was now retired and out of the diplomatic service.

Speaking from the high commission, Mr Chebukaka said Mr Muchemi no longer represented Kenya’s interests in the UK. “The old man has been unwell for some time; he’s staying on in London to see his doctors,” said Mr Chebukaka, the acting high commissioner. “I am in charge of the mission now in my capacity as acting high commissioner.”

But Mr Muchemi dismissed Mr Chebukaka’s claims as “far-fetched and pure fantasy”. In an interview in London, Mr Muchemi said he was in good health and on an extended leave. “I am still the high commissioner although I’m on leave . . . my deputy is running the office in my absence,” Mr Muchemi said.

“There is nothing wrong with me as you can see. I’m in good form; these are malicious rumours meant to tarnish my name and reputation.” Mr Muchemi said he had not refused to hand over the office and was making plans to “return home in the future when the time comes’’.

The diplomat said he was still serving as he “prepares to go back home”, but he would not state exactly when he was likely to return to Nairobi. The latest saga at the mission contradicts the Kenya Government’s position on the matter.

Tour of duty

Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Thuita Mwangi said on September 1 that Mr Muchemi had completed his tour of duty. “His term in London has expired. Ambassadors are posted and recalled. He is preparing to come back home,” said Prof Egara Kabaji, the ministry spokesman.

Mr Muchemi is still listed as Kenya's High Commissioner on the ministry’s website. Mr Muchemi said he was recalled in May after the expiry of his tour of duty but his contract was extended. He dismissed allegations that he was using powerful connections in government to cling to his job despite his recall.

“I have never refused to hand over office or return home. I am staying on in London to wind up; I have permission to do so,” said Mr Muchemi, who spoke to the Sunday Nation at a Starbucks coffee shop in North London. He arrived for the meeting by bus.

The trappings

Inquiries at the Kenyan mission revealed that Mr Muchemi had been stripped of all the trappings that come with an ambassadorial job in London. A well-placed source said the directive to withdraw services and privileges usually enjoyed by the high commissioner came from Nairobi.

“The high commissioner has no access to the official car and no access to the high commission offices or staff and is under increased pressure to vacate the official residence,” said the source who cannot be named discussing official matters.

The Sunday Nation has established that Mr Muchemi and his family are still living at Kenya House, the ambassadorial residence on Winnington Road in upmarket East Finchley, North London. During the London meeting, the soft spoken Mr Muchemi, 65, was dressed in a frayed suit, a white shirt and a red tie.

His arrival by public transport indicated how life has changed for the formerly high-flying diplomat, who is used to being chauffeured around in an official ambassadorial car with the personalised plate — KEN 1. Mr Muchemi would not say whether he had access to the mission’s offices.

Acrimonious departure

Mr Muchemi, a close confidant of President Kibaki, was appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in November 2003. Mr Chebukaka has been Mr Muchemi’s deputy since November 2008 following the acrimonious departure of Dr Abel Kenyoru under unclear circumstances.

Mr Chebukaka is a career diplomat who served as Kenya’s Deputy Permanent Representative to Unep in Nairobi. He has also held senior positions in Khartoum and Addis Ababa. Mr Chebukaka said he was undertaking all ambassadorial functions at the mission.

A source told the Sunday Nation that Mr Chebukaka was being deputised by Wanja Michuki, a principal counsellor at the mission.

“I have just attended the rehearsals for the Remembrance Day; I will represent Kenya on November 11,” Mr Chebukaka said. Remembrance Sunday is observed across the UK to commemorate the end of the First World War on November 11, 1918 and the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians.

Mr Chebukaka confirmed that he was in office in an acting capacity, awaiting the appointment of the new high commissioner. The new envoy will most likely be posted in time for the crucial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting to be hosted by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from November 27 to 29.

Kenyan envoys to the UK usually accompany the President to CHOGM, which is held every two years. A cross-section of Kenyans in London have been watching events at the mission with interest.

Hour of need

Said a diplomat at the mission: “Mr Muchemi has outlived his usefulness, and the regime in Nairobi has deserted him at his hour of need.” Another well-placed source with close links to the mission said: “President Kibaki has abandoned his old pal; he is now at the mercy of the ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, and the scenario is embarrassing.”

The sources said that although Mr Muchemi was visible and accessible among Kenyan residents in the UK, his diplomatic tour of duty did little to improve Kenya’s image abroad. “He was popular with Kenyans in the UK, but he failed miserably to engage in official capacity,” said a former British diplomat.

“Mr Muchemi’s posting to the UK was unfit for the purpose; he was characteristically laid back,” said a former Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) adviser on Kenya. Kenyans in the UK remember Mr Muchemi for his interesting performance on News Night – a BBC TV programme – when he was questioned on high level corruption in Kenya.