Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has sent a recommendation to the Members of Parliament raising concerns over the suitability of former Kisii Deputy Governor, Joash Maangi.
In March 2024, President Ruto made fresh changes to the Foreign Affairs docket, including nominating Maangi as Kenya's ambassador to Uganda.
Maangi appeared before the National Assembly's Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee to undergo vetting on his suitability to hold the position.
However, during the vetting, the MPs noted receiving a file from EACC on graft allegations against him.
In the file, the Commission claimed that a company linked to Maangi was paid twice (Ksh100 million payment) by the National Housing Corporation (NHC) over the construction of houses in Lang'ata, Nairobi.
EACC seeks a case to be opened against the former DG to prove whether the claims are valid.
The MPs will review the file from EACC before making recommendations regarding Maangi's nomination.
During the vetting process, Maangi was questioned on how he would manage tension following the arrest of Kenyans in Migingo.
"This is a matter we will leave the joint commission to deal with but we do have a joint committee on security and this has been meeting regularly and it's an issue as an ambassador, I'll fast track by using accepted channels to reach an agreement," Maangi stated.
The committee is slated to vet the ambassadors, High Commissioners and Permanent Representatives to give recommendations before they are officially sworn in.
Before the ambassadorial nomination, Maangi had been posted as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The positions were, however, deemed unconstitutional by the High Court.
