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{
    "id": 1559953,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559953/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 944,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also rise to support Sessional Paper No.1 of 2025 on Kenyan Foreign Policy. As a country, we must leverage our strategic location, history and our connections. Our foreign policy should, first and foremost, be for the benefit of the people of Kenya. We must see tangible results and guard against any form of subjugation that might occur as we pursue particular foreign policies. Ideally, when a policy is being developed, there is abundant public participation where issues are deliberated on and resolved. When I was involved in developing the National Land Policy and the Housing Policy, we conducted desk research to find out the best practices. We collected data, which we compiled to create a roadmap. Ordinarily, a policy needs to be formulated and approved before subsequent legislation is passed. Unfortunately, we passed a Bill on foreign relations last year without a supporting foreign policy. Of course, everyone asked about the anchor. Or is this the typical Kenyan way of doing things, where we start with the end and claim that the end justifies the means? I hope that there have been adequate consultations with the ordinary mwananchi, the experts and those who serve in foreign missions. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have had the occasion to travel before and after becoming a Member of Parliament. We have commendable people serving in our foreign missions abroad and yet, one of their greatest challenges is inadequate funding. I hope and pray that this policy has addressed the issue of facilitation to enable them to carry out their assigned functions effectively. It would be a terrible miss on our part if we have not addressed that challenge. The issue of strategic missions is critical. Kenya can exploit various areas to enhance tourism, trade and other related activities and yet, we do not have adequate physical presence. Sometimes, those we send to foreign missions - though I hesitate to use the term \"political rejects\" - often lack the necessary training in diplomacy. They merely seek employment. Diplomacy is not a career calling for them. They report to their stations, sit around, go to their offices, walk around and do nothing. I hope the Chairperson and the Committee are aware of those challenges, and will resolve them. If you speak to career diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they present a case of a very frustrated lot. They have the skills, experience and the drive but, when it comes to the appointment of ambassadors and high commissioners to missions abroad, anyone can be picked from anywhere at any time as long they are ‘politically correct’. No wonder this country has made so many diplomatic goofs that literally embarrass Kenyans. We are left to ask very simple questions like: Do we have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Do we have a robust diplomatic position that guides us on what to say and what not to say? It was written by Chinua Achebe that when you talk about dry bones, old women become upset, and the same applies to old men. You want those old women to support you and The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}