MPs approve Sh3.7 billion foreign ministry's budget

Parliament has approved the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Sh3.7 billion budget, but MPs attacked opaque dealings in public property and appointment of ambassadors.Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula has locked horns with Defence and Foreign Relations Committee over the controversial purchase of Sh1.5b property in Tokyo, Japan.Parliament also approved Sh513 million for the Ministry of East Africa Community.Yesterday, committee chairman Adan Keynan supported the ministry’s budget, which was the first vote to come under the House scrutiny, but stressed the need for a policy to guide purchase and disposal of property."There should be a comprehensive policy on acquisition and disposal of property to ensure it is done above board with regard to the public interest. That is the only way to ensure value for money," Keynan said.Higher Education Assistant Minister Kilemi Mwiria regretted political patronage had become the overriding criteria in the appointment of ambassadors. Dr Mwiria said the process was "much more politicised" and sometimes not based on merit, but "who do you know or are related to"."When you bypass more qualified persons, it is demoralising. We have seen costly expansions of diplomatic missions to accommodate political patronage," he added.Special auditThe minister called for an audit of all missions, similar to one underway in institutions of higher learning, to ensure not more than 30 per cent of envoys come form one ethnic background. This was the only way to ensure appointments reflect the face of Kenya, Mwiria said."Ambassadors are carefully vetted and under my watch we have had a vibrant foreign service institute for training officers on protocol, among others," Wetang’ula said.Garsen MP Danson Mungatana questioned why the bulk of the Sh500 million development expenditure was earmarked for purchase, construction and refurbishment of buildings.Mungatana also questioned why missions located in Kenya’s major trading partners, Uganda and Tanzania, had lesser allocations yet the Government had given Sh280 million for construction in Abuja, Nigeria. "What is the justification of spending Sh280 million in Abuja yet there was nil allocation in Kampala and Sh27 million in Dar es Salaam? Why are our biggest trading partners relegated in favour of the likes of Abuja that account for lesser trade," Mungatana asked.Wetang’ula replied Treasury had not honoured the ministry’s request for Sh150 million for construction of a chancellery in Uganda.

MPs approve Sh3.7 billion foreign ministry's budget

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MPs approve Sh3.7 billion foreign ministry's budget

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