There was an interesting debate in Parliament on Thursday, April 17, as Members of Parliament clashed over President William Ruto's latest diplomatic appointments.
Minority Leader Junet Mohamed was particularly critical of the President's appointments, as he criticised the Head of State over what he described as a 'recycling of failed politicians' into plum jobs.
Junet spoke during a parliamentary session to consider the nomination of several individuals as ambassadors, permanent representatives, and consuls.
While opposing Ruto's appointments, the Suna East MP observed that the government had a tendency to reappoint former government officials to different capacities – a trend which he claims began with the Jubilee regime.
“We cannot be recycling people in office,” he said. “Every politician who has failed is being dumped in a certain mission. This is demoralising for career civil servants who have dedicated their lives to growing through the system.”
The Minority Leader argued that professional diplomats' careers often stalled at some point because the top slots are routinely filled with politically connected appointees.
He added: “There are career civil servants who started their careers young, wanting to work and grow. When they get to deputy ambassador, they never rise because there are politicians waiting for those nominations,” he added.
To curb this, Junet suggested that for every 10 diplomatic appointments the Head of State made, at least seven should be career diplomats.
Among the appointees criticised by Junet was former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, whose appointment was confirmed on March 20 in a Gazette notice, as President Ruto confirmed a raft of changes in ambassadorial roles.
Former Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum was nominated as Ambassador to Kinshasa, while Alfred Ombudo and Geoffrey Kaituko were nominated as Deputy Heads of Mission to Brussels and Rome, respectively.
Despite Junet fiercely opposing Nakhumicha's appointment, the former CS, whose tenure at the health docket was marred by controversy, was heavily backed by other lawmakers, including Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah.
The Kikuyu MP, while endorsing Nakhumicha, suggested her time as Health CS was difficult because she had inherited a flawed docket.
"She (Nakumicha) set a good foundation, and this enables her to serve as an ambassador. Many people may have varied opinions, but she did exceptionally well, especially because she was midwifing a transitioning NHIF as CS," Ichung'wah asserted.
Before her appointment, Nakhumicha had claimed that she had been facing financial challenges after the cabinet reshuffle, prompting leaders from the Western region to urge Ruto to give her a different role.
