State told to fill diplomatic posts

Concern is emerging over the delayed replacement of Kenyan envoys who have left office at eight stations around the world.

The government is yet to appoint new ambassadors to take charge of China, Australia, Nigeria, Botswana, Oman and Geneva nearly two months after diplomats posted to the stations resigned or left at the expiry of their terms.

It has also emerged that the Foreign Affairs ministry is yet to give advice to the appointing authority following a standoff over how to share the slots and demands that Parliament must approve the appointments.

Some powerful government officials are also said to be positioning themselves to take advantage of the vacancies.

On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka said that the delayed appointment of the staff was already causing concerns in some countries and hurting diplomatic deals with Kenya.

“It is true this matter is degenerating into a big concern. China, for example, is a serious partner of Kenya in many ways, and its ambassador here has personally approached me wondering why a designated diplomat has not been posted to Beijing,” said Mr Onyonka.

He said although the charge d’affaires are able to hold brief, their diplomatic powers are limited and cannot engage beyond the limits created by Vienna Convention.

New postings

Two months ago, ambassadors Julius Sunkuli (China), Kembi Gitura (Belgium), Francis Sigei (Nigeria) and Stephen Tarus (Australia) resigned to seek political office in the coming General Election.

(READ: Top civil servants quit to join politics)

Kenya’s representative to Botswana, Mr Daniel Sindinga, has also returned home. The posts in Israel and Oman are also vacant, with junior diplomats currently being in charge.

Foreign Affairs permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi, however, said the Kenyan missions are well-manned although its top diplomats resigned to contest in the elections.

“There is no crisis. We have asked the charge d’affaires to take control. This is how it is normally done while preparations for new postings are made,” said the PS.

President Kibaki is expected to retire by April next year and the new President may recall most of the serving ambassadors to appoint his own.

Mr Onyonka called for consideration of professionalism before the appointing authority can decide on who to post, arguing that resourceful career diplomats are rotting at the ministry while some political sycophants, who end up costing the government millions to train, are appointed ambassadors.

Under the Constitution, diplomatic appointments must be approved by Parliament after the appointees are vetted.