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{
    "id": 94363,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/94363/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 198,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Eng. Gumbo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 24,
        "legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
        "slug": "nicholas-gumbo"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to make a contribution on Vote 04. There is no question about the role the Ministry plays in shaping Kenya’s international image. As a matter of fact, I think the Minister for Foreign Affairs should by all accounts, be our top most diplomat. As a country, the image and the respect that we get from other countries and as the Minister rightly put it, starting mainly with our immediate neighbourhood in the East African region and in Africa, that has to be in our forefront in our diplomatic thrust. Having said that, there are issues in the Ministry which need to be dealt with. I concur completely with the Chairman of the Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations on the matter of discord with the other Ministries. This is a matter that has gone on for too long and the Minister for Foreign Affairs should take it upon himself to try to liaise with those other Ministries to address these issues. The Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations has spoken about professionalism of our diplomatic service. He referred to the issue of remuneration which might be the heart of the matter, but I also get very concerned when I look at the conduct of the people we designate as our ambassadors in foreign countries. Last year, I had a chance to talk to a very high flying ambassador in a foreign country. I was shocked because for almost two hours, he spoke like an enemy of Kenya, just criticizing the country. He absolutely had no patriotism and love for his country. I asked myself how such people qualify to be ambassadors. Every year, I see an annual ritual when ambassadors come here, but I wonder what sort of training they go through. I have not been an ambassador, but I want to believe that if I am appointed an ambassador, whether I like it or not, my first qualification has to be open and unbashed love for my country. Some of our ambassadors are enemies of this country and I think the Minister has to take it upon himself to root out such people."
}