Half of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s appointed envoys are facing a recall by President William Ruto.
The ambassadors and high commissioners representing Kenya’s mission abroad were appointed by the former head of state between 2013 and 2022.
The recall, according to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei will be based on 3 criteria.
“The recall of envoys will vary from one person to another.
“There are ambassadors who have served their maximum term while others have attained retirement age,” Korir told Nation on Sunday, January 29.
Korir added that there are ambassadors who do not fit the criteria mentioned above but nevertheless will face a recall.
“Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President and so it is possible for ambassadors who have active terms to be recalled,” he animated.
Months to the end of his term in August 2022, Uhuru made a series of ambassadorial appointments that are facing an imminent recall.
Top names include; Former Information and Communications Technology (ICT) PS Bitange Ndemo (Belgium) and former Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai (Namibia).
Other envoys who have not finished a year in their assignments include; Mary Mugwanja (Vienna, Austria), Muthoni Gichohi (China), Gathoga Chege (Cuba), Salim Salim (Djibouti), Ayub Matiiri (Egypt).
Clement Kiteme (Angola), Galma Boru (Indonesia), Paul Ndung’u (Mozambique), Andrew Ikenye (Nigeria), Margaret Shava (Netherlands), Amina Abdalla (Oman), Nyambura Kamau (Pakistan), Boniface Mwilu (Qatar), Michael Oyugi (Spain), Thomas Chepkuto (Somalia), Leonard Boiyo (Turkey) and George Owinow have also served less than a year in their foreign postings.
Other prominent envoys who were appointed in 2020 and could be recalled include; Martin Kimani (Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations), Tom Amolo (Berlin), John Tipis (Canberra), Immaculate Wambua (Canada), Catherine Mwangi (South Africa), Jean Kamau (Ethiopia), Lemarron Kaanto (Brazil), Daniel Wambura (Burundi), Benson Ogutu (Russia), Tabu Irina (Japan), Linday Kiptiness (Thailand) and Joshua Gatimu (Iran).
According to Sing’oei, there are currently 20 ambassadors who have served their four-year terms.
They include; Cleopa Mailu (Switzerland, UN), Judy Wakhungu (France), Willy Bett (India), Mohammed Shidiye (Botswana), Phyllis Kandie (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO), Samuel Thuita (Israel), Nicholas Ogego (Saudi Arabia), Ndegwa Muhoro (Malaysia) and Lazarus Amayo (Washington).
According to Kenyan Constitution, an ambassador is an appointee of the President and serves a term of four years which can be renewed.
“Pursuant to Article 132 (2) (e) of the Constitution, the President shall nominate and, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, appoint high commissioners, ambassadors, and diplomatic or consular representatives.
“Unless terminated, a high commissioner, ambassador, diplomatic or consular representative shall serve for a term of four years,” the Law states.
According to Act No 12 of 2021 of Kenyan Laws, the President has the power to recall any ambassador before the term ends.
“The President may terminate the appointment of a high commissioner, ambassador, diplomatic or consular representative before the end of his or her term,” the Act states.
