UPDATE Thursday, May 26: The National Assembly has approved 21 ambassadorial nominees whose names had been submitted to parliament for vetting by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
This was after the NA Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations recommended their names for approval having vetted the 21 individuals from May 16 to 18.
A report by the National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations on the newly appointed ambassadors has revealed that the diplomats, who were nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta in April, are all millionaires.
In the report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, May 24, Mary Muthoni Gichohi, who is proposed as the new ambassador to China is worth Ksh400million, while Amina Ali Abdalla, appointed to Oman, is worth Ksh340 million.
Former ICT Permanent Secretary, Prof Elijah Bitange Ndemo's net worth is recorded as Ksh190 million. Ndemo was appointed as Kenya's ambassador to Belgium.
On the other hand, Gathoga Wanyoike Chege, who will be Kenya's representative to Cuba upon approval declared that he is worth Ksh153 million. Micheal Saialai, the National Assembly Clerk, appointed to Namibia indicated that he is worth Ksh151 million.
Those who declared a net worth of Ksh150 million include Major Gen (Rtd) Andrew Karanja Ikenye (Nigeria) and Boniface Nduva Mwilu (Qatar). Major Gen (Rtd.) George Aggrey Owino, set to be posted to Uganda, indicated that he is worth Ksh140 million.
At the Ksh100 million mark was Clement Nzomo (Angola), Galma Muke Boru (Indonesia), Paul Kamweru Ndung'u (Mozambique), Leonard Ngeiywa Boiyo (Turkey), and Major Gen (Rtd.) Charles Tai Gituai (Intergovernmental Authority on Development - IGAD).
Others include Mary Nyambura posted to Pakistan (Ksh97 million), Michael Adipo Okoth Oyugi posted to Spain (Ksh75 million), Prof Richard Bosire posted to UNESCO (Ksh75 million), Mary Wangui Mugwanha posted to Austria (Ksh70 million), and Major Gen (Rtd.) Thomas Kipkosgei Chepkuto posted to Somalia (Ksh58.6 million).
Maj Gen Ayub Guantai Matiiri posted to Egypt reported a net worth of Ksh50 million. His Netherlands counterpart, Margaret Wambui Ngugi Shava also declared Ksh50 million while Salim Mohamed Salim posted to Djibouti declared Ksh15 million net worth.
The committee noted that Nyeri deputy governor, Caroline Karugu, withdrew from the interviews.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a letter Ref. No. MFA.CON.HRM/1 dated 16th May 2022 had notified the Clerk of her withdrawal from the approval process," read the report in part.
Additionally, the committee recommended the approval of all the nominees stating that they did not uncover any anomaly during the vetting process.
"Having considered the suitability, capacity, and integrity of the nominees, the committee recommends that the National Assembly approves the nomination and subsequent appointment by the President," recommended the committee.
