Kenya’s envoy to US on the spot over Raila ‘snub’
Acting Kenya’s ambassador to the US, Jean Njeri Kamau, during a past interview in her Washington DC office. . PHOTO | BMJ MURIITHI | FILE
What you need to know:
- Boston based Kennedy Wambo said by staying away; Ms Kamau had set a bad precedent. “As a civil servant, she should know better than snub an event because of petty politics,” he said via twitter.
- During the Boston Marathon which was held a day after the Dinner, Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo won the women’s race while Wilson Chebet and Frankline Chepkwony were second and third respectively in the men’s race won by American Meb Keflezighi.
A section of Kenyans in the US has reacted angrily to media reports that acting Kenya’s ambassador to the US boycotted a premium Kenyan event in Boston, Massachusetts, upon learning that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was in attendance.
The Sunday Nation reported that Ms Jean Kamau, who was expected at the event dubbed “Diner with the Champions” accompanied by visiting Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts, Hassan Wario, reportedly stayed away because of the presence of the ODM leader.
Mr Odinga had joined the Kenyans in honour of compatriots who were participating in the prestigious Boston Marathon.
And soon after the story was published, many Kenyans took to the social media to vilify the envoy saying she not only embarrassed the Cord leader but the athletes as well. Others termed the action “uncalled for, archaic and disrespectful.”
Boston based Kennedy Wambo said by staying away; Ms Kamau had set a bad precedent. “As a civil servant, she should know better than snub an event because of petty politics,” he said via twitter.
“These officials seem to be still smarting from the Nyayo era mentality when you either were of certain political inclination (sic) or no one had time for you,” said Martin Magesha of Tampa, Florida.
Some used other online fora to express their disappointment. "The ambassador owes Kenyans an apology”, a reader who goes by pseudo name ‘Suluhisho’ said in a posting on Mwakilishi.com, a Diaspora online publication.
“Snubbing the event is despicable and those supporting the behaviour should know it is counterproductive and does not advance the cause of national reconciliation and healing at all,” said John Mwangi in a Facebook posting.
But Arizona based John Kamau felt that the barbs thrown at the envoy are misdirected. “Kenyans should blame Mr Odinga’s supporters for rushing to the media to create the impression that their party leader was under siege,” he told the Nation by phone. “They are trying to create a storm in a tea cup. The ambassador stayed away to avoid unnecessary theatrics,” he added.
Mr Osaak Olumullah from Ohio wondered whether those castigating the envoy had all the facts on what transpired. “Did Mr. Odinga's office put the Embassy in the know about what was going to transpire? Was the politician gracing the event as a private citizen?” he wondered in a post on nation.co.ke.
Efforts to reach Ms Kamau for comment were fruitless as an embassy staff told the Nation that she was on leave and out of the country.
Two weeks ago, Mr Odinga expressed concern that the Charge de Affairs had not accorded him the courtesy he deserves. “Unlike my colleague from Tanzania who has been moving around with an official from the Tanzanian Embassy in Washington, the Kenyan Mission has largely ignored me,” he told an NTV reporter in Atlanta during an interview.
During the Boston Marathon which was held a day after the Dinner, Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo won the women’s race while Wilson Chebet and Frankline Chepkwony were second and third respectively in the men’s race won by American Meb Keflezighi.
The “Dinner with Champions” is the brain child of former Kenya’s ambassador to the US , Elkanah Odembo, who styled himself as a true champion and supporter of Kenya’s international sportsmen and women. It has become one of the biggest events among Kenyans living in the US whilst acting as a morale booster to the runners.
The latest development is likely to rekindle debate on the former Prime Minister’s 3-month US tour which has raised eyebrows in some quarters, becoming a subject for debate both in the media and the Kenyan parliament.
