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| Head of Public Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura (File/Photo) |
The Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs Monday began an inquiry into diplomatic postings that have raised questions over the suitability of candidates appointed to serve in various diplomatic missions across the world.
Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno, Head of Public Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura as well as acting foreign affairs permanent secretary Patrick Wamoto were at pains to explain why numerous diplomatic officers have been recalled over the last three years just to be replaced with less qualified appointees.
The committee now wants an audit of the qualifications of diplomatic staff posted to several missions to rule out suspicion that some had been appointed on the basis of political favoritism as well as nepotism, claims which they say have demoralized mission staff abroad.
Muthaura however maintained that diplomatic postings were on merit and in line with rationalization of staff, so as to save on cost.
Certain communities were overrepresented in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs... the thrust was to correct the tribal imbalance," said Mr Muthaura.
He added: "Appointments in the Foreign Service are not haphazard, this is serious business carried out by the Public Service Commission."
There committee insisted that some of the envoys singling out New York and Brussels were not qualified in their work.
Last month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came under criticism from Members of Parliament who accused it of nepotism and corruption in the appointment of top diplomats.
It was claimed that some of those appointed to the ambassadorial positions were relatives of top government officials.
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