{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=139624","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=139622","results":[{"id":1412641,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412641/?format=json","text_counter":67,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Members took their seats)"},{"id":1412642,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412642/?format=json","text_counter":68,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Belgut, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Nelson Koech","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you Hon. Speaker. 2. All nominees who appeared before the Committee are Kenyan citizens and do not hold dual citizenship, in conformity with Article 78 of the Constitution. 3. All nominees committed to not participate in any other gainful employment while serving as State officers, as required under Article 77(1) of the Constitution. 4. In accordance with Article 77(2) of the Constitution and the Schedule to the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7, none of the nominees holds office in any political party. 5. The nominees indicated compliance with Articles 75 and 76 of the Constitution on the conduct and financial probity of State officers. They indicated non-existence of potential conflict of interest and committed to declare, should any arise. By the set deadline for receipt of memoranda from members of the public, the Committee had received one submission from one John Katithi Mueke expressing his support for the nomination of Ms. Carolyne Kamende Daudi as the High Commissioner of Kenya to Ottawa, Canada. The EACC, in response to a request for information on the nominees, pointed out that it had not undertaken any investigation pursuant to its mandate against twenty-four (24) nominees, nor had it recommended prosecution of any of them save for Mr. David Kiplangat Kerich, Mr. Ekitela Erastus Lokaale, and Hon. Joash Arthur Maangi. The three nominees are still under investigation by the EACC and have not been charged and convicted by any court of law. Article 50 (2) (a) of the Constitution provides that every accused person has the right to be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. Therefore, it would be premature for the Committee to adjudge the nominees guilty of undisclosed offences when due process has not been carried out. Hon. Speaker, the nominations meet the threshold of the two-third gender principle and regional balance in line with Articles 27(3) and 232(1) (h) of the Constitution. Twenty-five out of the 26 nominees who presented their academic and professional credentials and made oral submissions during the approval hearings, demonstrated their suitability for appointment in 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"},{"id":1412643,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412643/?format=json","text_counter":69,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Belgut, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Nelson Koech","speaker":null,"content":"accordance with the provisions of Section 6(7) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act. Pursuant to Article 232 (1) (g) of the Constitution, as read together with Section 7(c) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, the Committee is required to consider the suitability of the nominees for the proposed appointment having regard to the values and principles of public service, particularly meritocracy as the basis of appointment. Hon. Speaker, the nominee for Consul-General to Goma, DRC, Mr. Charles Githinji Keiru, demonstrated a glaring lack of knowledge on the functions of Consul-General and the station to which he was nominated to serve in. The nominee does not possess the requisite abilities, qualities, knowledge and experience, and thus is unsuitable for appointment as Consul-General to Goma, DRC. I want to demonstrate to this House why Congo is an extremely important station. Kenya's role as an anchor State and guarantor of regional peace and security continues to inform the country's indispensable role in fortifying the regional peace and security architecture. Likewise, the country's foreign policy remains a key cog in the advancement of purposeful regional integration and peaceful coexistence, both central to Kenya's socio- economic growth and development agenda. To this end, the continual promotion, protection and projection of Kenya's interests regionally and globally has to remain in line with the object and purpose of the country's aspiration and further calls for a diplomatic workforce that is nimble, fit for purpose and alive to regional geostrategic circumstances. On the significance of the DRC, Kenya sits on the confluence of the three important regions of Africa – the East African region, the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. Kenya's peace and prosperity and, therefore, the country's economic and political ambitions, are inextricably tied to a peaceful and secure region. In this respect, Kenya remains proud of the fact that the DRC is a member of the East African Community. It offers us hope that the resulting trade and investment will improve the lives of East Africans. We have also used integration to pursue long desired stabilisation of the Eastern DRC through the efforts of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF). Accordingly, the importance or centrality of Kenya's Consulate in the City of Goma, Eastern DRC, in promotion of friendly relations as well as advancing Kenya's economic and commercial trade as well as security interests cannot be over-emphasised. Hon. Speaker, in summary, a clear and sophisticated understating of the regional peace and security architecture of the Great Lakes region as well as thoughtful and vital appreciation of key factors that inform our country’s economic diplomacy are key components that are expected of Kenya's diplomatic agent to Goma. The Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations of the National Assembly regrets that the nominee for the post of Consul-General to Kenya's Consulate in Goma has failed to demonstrate a comprehensive range of technical, academic and professional skills that are vital in anchoring Kenya's economic, commercial, trade and security interests in the DRC. Furthermore, given the tenets of diplomatic signalling inherent in foreign relations between states and desires in maintaining friendly and convenient relations with countries of the region, deploying the aforementioned nominee to Goma would be detrimental to both the strategic and long-term interests of the region. Hon. Speaker, I am trying to summarise. Next is Ambassador Moi Lemoshira, the nominee for Tokyo, Japan. Ambassador Moi Lemoshira’s career in the diplomatic realm reflects a wealth of experience and leadership across various diplomatic missions and within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His tenure as Kenya’s Ambassador to Algeria and Mali as well as his leadership roles in diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa, Dublin, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur underscores his proficiency in representing Kenya’s interests on the global stage and fostering international relations. His extensive diplomatic portfolio positions him as a seasoned 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"},{"id":1412644,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412644/?format=json","text_counter":70,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Belgut, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Nelson Koech","speaker":null,"content":"diplomat with the expertise and leadership qualities to navigate complex international landscapes and promote Kenya’s diplomatic interests effectively. I will also refer to the case of Ms. Gertrude Nyausi Angote, our nominee for Permanent Representative at UNEP. She was one of the best nominees that we vetted. Her career trajectory reflects a distinguished path characterised by a wealth of experience and expertise in environmental law and climate justice. As an award-winning Senior Legal and Environmental Law Advisor, she has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in various domains, including research and innovation, and policy and governance. Her roles as the Programme Director and Public Interest Litigator at Kituo cha Sheria – she worked with one of our Hon. Members, Hon. Millie Odhiambo – underscores her commitment to advancing environmental justice both nationally and internationally. She has extensive diplomatic background and qualifications. I see that my time is up. Hon. Speaker, we must attach a lot of significance to the people we send to our missions abroad. If you watched the US. Ambassador to Kenya, Ambassador Meg Whitman … Please, give me one more minute, Hon. Speaker. Anyone who watched the US Ambassador to Kenya peach on the Silicon Valley when our President visited the United States will understand why we need someone of that stature as an ambassador. That person is the face of the country. That is the face of the President of the country. What they speak and how they attract investment to a country is extremely important. We need people who will not only market Kenya as a tourist destination, but also articulate Kenya's interests abroad and become the real face of the Kenyan people and the missions that they represent. Hon. Speaker, I would have said more but allow me to end it there by summarising that the Committee resolved that, henceforth, Consul-Generals should undergo vetting, as I mentioned earlier. With those remarks, I beg to move and urge the House to adopt this Report. I request Hon. Major (Rtd) Abdullahi Sheikh Bashir, my Vice-Chairperson, to second the Motion."},{"id":1412645,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412645/?format=json","text_counter":71,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Where is the Vice-Chairman, Hon. Bashir? Proceed."},{"id":1412646,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412646/?format=json","text_counter":72,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Mandera North, UDM","speaker_title":"Hon. Major (Rtd.) Abdullahi Sheikh","speaker":null,"content":" Hon. Speaker, I beg to second the Motion that this House approves the appointment of the 25 out of the 27 persons nominated for appointment as high commissioners, ambassadors, permanent representatives and consuls-general and equally resolve to reject the nomination of the nominee for DRC Congo. The offices of high commissioners, ambassadors, permanent representatives and consuls-general are offices under the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. During the approval hearings, the Committee paid due regard to the procedures used to arrive at the nominees. The constitutional or statutory requirements relating to the offices and suitability of the nominees for appointment as proposed, but having regard to whether the nominees’ abilities, experience and qualities meet the needs of the country’s foreign service. Upon conclusion of the approval hearings, the Committee scrutinised the personal, academic and career backgrounds of the nominees and we were fully convinced that 25 out of the 26 that appeared before us, who presented their academic qualifications, credentials and made oral submissions during the approval hearings, demonstrated their suitability for appointment in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(7) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approvals) Act Cap 7(f). Quite a number of them performed exceptionally well when they appeared before the Committee. One of them is Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi, who is a former Vice-Chief of Staff for Kenya Defence Forces. Lieutenant Mwangi served over 40 years in the Kenya Defence Forces. He demonstrated that he is an officer with the capacity and capabilities to serve in Iran. Another nominee is Ms. Caroline Kamende Daudi, the nominee for Ottawa, 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"},{"id":1412647,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412647/?format=json","text_counter":73,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Mandera North, UDM","speaker_title":"Hon. Major (Rtd.) Abdullahi Sheikh","speaker":null,"content":"Canada. That lady is a seasoned litigation advocate, well experienced and demonstrated capacity and skills during vetting. That shows that she is capable and can serve in Kenya and represent the country in Ottawa, Canada. Another nominee is Rtd. Lieutenant General Peter Mbogo, who was the immediate former Army Commander of the Kenya Defence Forces. He is a seasoned officer. The two officers, generally, Mwangi and Mbogo, are officers I have served with while I served in the military some years back. I can vouch for their character and discipline and, of course, their background and educational experiences. Another nominee who performed exceptionally well is Aden Mohamud Mohamed, nominee as a Consul-General to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. During the vetting, he responded to questions posed by the Committee with clarity. He has served in various missions within the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and has capacity to join the diplomatic corps at that level. He goes to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I am sure this is the first time we have a Consul-General in Jeddah. This is a good step so that he can serve Kenyans going to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. On the nominee the Committee rejected, it is good to note that he did not demonstrate that he has the capacity, skills and competence to serve in DRC. Remember DRC is a complex country and it requires somebody with a lot of capacity, educational background, experience and skills. Unfortunately, the nominee did not meet the cut. I wish to assure the House and the country that we have the right individuals to steer our foreign policy in the respective stations. We, therefore, recommend that the National Assembly approves the appointment of the 25 persons to serve as high commissioners, ambassadors, permanent representatives and consuls-general in respective stations and rejects the nominee of Mr. Charles Githinji Keiru as Consul-General for Goma in DRC. We further recommend that the House resolves that, henceforth, consul-generals should undergo vetting and the appointing authority should recall the current serving consuls-general who were not vetted and approved by the National Assembly. Hon. Speaker, I beg to second the Motion. I urge the House to adopt this Report and agree with the Committee. Thank you very much."},{"id":1412648,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412648/?format=json","text_counter":74,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Order, Hon. Members. Take your seats. Thank you."},{"id":1412649,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412649/?format=json","text_counter":75,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Question proposed)"},{"id":1412650,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1412650/?format=json","text_counter":76,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Yes, Hon. Keynan. Hon. Members, I want us to agree. I had said I wanted us to take about 30 minutes on this so that we can go back to Order No.7. If you allow me, can I give two Members a chance from each side and then we put the Question?"}]}