The National Assembly on Wednesday affirmed the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations' decision to reject the nomination of Charles Githinji Keiru, President William Ruto's pick as Kenya's Consul General to Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During the parliamentary proceedings, the MPs came to the conclusion that the committee's decision was well-informed.
Members of Parliament, including those from the Kenya Kwanza alliance noted that Goma in DRC was a sensitive post and Githinji did not have the skills and technical knowledge to represent the country.
On Tuesday, the Committee tabled a report in Parliament that cast serious doubts on Keiru's suitability to hold the role.
The committee in its report observed that the nominee’s performance during the interview was wanting and way below expectations.
“The nominee for Consul-General to Goma, DRC, Charles Githinji Keiru, demonstrated a considerable lack of knowledge of the expected duties of a Consul-General and the station to which he had been nominated to serve.”
“The Committee found that the nominee is not suitable to be appointed to serve as Consul-General to Goma, DRC, because he does not possess the requisite qualities, abilities, knowledge and experience,” read the report.
This was after a vetting interview where Githinji failed to satisfactorily answer questions directed at him.
In one instance, he was unable to define the meaning of the term GDP (Gross Domestic Product) while in another he erroneously stated that the DRC shared a border with Malawi.
Further, the nominee only presented Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) credentials and a leaving certificate, casting doubt on his educational background.
Despite rejecting Keiru's nomination, Parliament approved the nominations of twenty five individuals who were also vetted.
In another decision made by MPs, all individuals who were already serving in various consulates but hadn't been vetted were recalled to and undergo the process.
Lawmakers explained that having them serve without being vetted was in contravention to the constitution.
