Kenya recalls its envoys

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: The Government has ordered all 52 ambassadors and High Commissioners serving foreign offices to report back to Nairobi within one week.

Charge de Affair and Deputy Ambassadors were ordered to remain in charge of the foreign missions in the interim period, as President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto forge a new structure to represent Kenya.

Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia issued the directive last evening and argued the move was part of reforms in Kenya’s foreign policy by the new Government.

“This follows reforms and redefinition of Kenya’s foreign policy mandate by the new Government. Kenyans will be updated on further details in due course,” said Mr Kimemia.

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Under the new dispensation, all ambassadors have to be vetted and approved by Parliament before they are deployed. In the past, the President named such appointees and most of them were his close allies or relatives.

The decision came as President Uhuru and his Mr Ruto were set to name a new Cabinet this week. Sources said the names of the nominees had been sent to the National Intelligence Service and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for vetting and approval and they were now in State House.

Our sources said there will be new faces and surprises in the proposed Cabinet of 22. The appointment of ambassadors will follow thereafter.