Politics
Diplomatic jobs a sham, says minister
Assistant minister for Foreign Affairs Richard Onyonka. Photo/FILE
Posted Sunday, January 18 2009 at 20:44
An assistant minister on Sunday dismissed appointments to the diplomatic service as a “sham”.
Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka said the seven appointments to ambassadorial positions were “political and not diplomatic”.
As Mr Onyonka spoke, the Nation learnt that some diplomats may have been appointed quietly but their names were not released to the media on Thursday.
Former Internal security Minister Julius Sunkuli is one of those who quietly left the country to represent the country in China. Mr Sunkuli has been in China for more than two months.
Political cronies
Mr Onyonka said morale of employees at the ministry was low because the system had perfected the art of rewarding “political cronies” rather than professionalism.
The assistant minister who appeared to be criticising his own bosses said although Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi had tried to ensure ambassadorial appointments were professional, political interests had taken over.
The Kitutu Chache MP said it defeated logic to appoint individuals whose constituents had lost faith in them to such positions to represent the country.
“There is no reason for students to study diplomacy any more if this is the reward of this professionalism,” he added.
Mr Onyonka also said there was no gender or equity among parties and communities in the appointments that saw three ministry officials promoted to the rank of ambassadors but retained in Kenya.
He described the new appointments which were announced by President Kibaki last Thursday as “striking deals and rewarding stooges” among top leaders in the Government.
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Submitted by dnzyokaPosted January 20, 2009 10:12 PM
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Submitted by boniras72
Well done mweshimiwa,,you r the leades africa needs,,u studied abroad en travelled alot,,ur mind thinks global not tribal.africa shall remain down there 4 ever cox of our ideology.look at mugabe,moi kibaki nigeria,congo.I went to campus wit the son of sunkuli public adm he scored the lowest ever 3rd class degree,i furthered in econs,law n foreign affairs.appliied job of District commissioner mombasa but since i had no big fish...this guy got the job,totall mess in kenya,,,i left kenya en no plans of coming to look 4 job
Posted January 20, 2009 10:07 PM -
Submitted by danmak2000
Its a shame to the highest authority, actually its should be an opportunity to serve the people of Kenya and not for personal interests in order to make the country a true working and not walking, growing nation. It is one of the best countries in Africa, so its a matter of professionalism.
Posted January 20, 2009 09:12 PM -
Submitted by 1jere
Were the jobs ever anything else?
Posted January 20, 2009 11:46 AM -
Submitted by kapcharoi
Yes Mweshimiwa tell them and go one step further and introduce a bill in Parliament to have all Ambassadorial, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Parastatals jobs vetted by the House.Include also a clause to say that only 25% of such appts should be political and the bal.professional. This way you will be helping demoralised staff like who have relevant qualifications and not election loosers rejected by Kenyans imagine them going out there to represent Kenyans. Infact some have even to return after 4 yrs saying they were promised 8+ yrs, ridiculous!
Posted January 20, 2009 08:12 AM
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Mr. Onyonka you cannot criticize the government you are serving. By the way ambassadors need not be professionals. They only need to be loyal to the country and their master or masters. As you may know we have some colleagues in high offices who barely know how to read and write and they still do a good job of legislating, I hope!