Thursday, August 12, 2010

Ministry on the spot over envoys

The government was on Wednesday put on the spot over political appointment of ambassadors.

MPs said the procedure was not transparent as merit was put on the back burner in such instances. MPs also criticised as wanting, the Foreign ministry’s procedure of buying and disposing of property.

Debating the Foreign Affairs ministry’s Budget Vote, MPs demanded that the appointment process be more consultative. They said political patronage only served to demoralise career diplomats.

“When you bypass career diplomats in favour of a few relatives and close associates of politicians, you send a very negative picture of the country’s foreign policy,” said Higher Education assistant minister Kilemi Mwiria.

Dr Mwiria called for regional equity in such positions, citing his ministry which he said had started a campaign to reflect this.

Nominated MP Rachel Shebesh (ODM) called for an increase in the number of women ambassadors, saying they were grossly under-represented.

Mr Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda ODM) accused some ambassadors of lacking professionalism, resulting in some “speaking like enemies of Kenya.”

“Transparency and merit must be the key consideration in these appointments,” said Energy assistant minister Mohamed Mahmud Maalim.

Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula defended the political appointments, saying the practice was also common in big democracies like the US.

“The ambassadors are carefully chosen and vetted after which they undergo intensive training,’’ he said.

The House approved a budget of Sh3.8 billion for the ministry in development and recurrent expenditure for the current financial year.

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