RECALLED

At least 14 Kenyan ambassadors and 115 junior staff have been recalled in a shuffle by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Those recalled include Dr Sospeter Machage (Russia), Mr Mutuma Kathurima (Germany), Mr Rateng Oginga Ogego (US) and Ms Ann Nyikuli (Italy). Others are Mr Mwakai Kikonde Sio (Spain) and Mr Lazarus Amayo (Zambia).

Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka could not tell the exact number of envoys and embassy staff who had been recalled.

Four-year term

“The changes are only looking major because previously they were done piecemeal. Nobody has been asked to come back before finishing the official four-year term,” Mr Onyonka said.

Most of those affected had served since 2003 when President Kibaki took over power. “It’s a normal requirement after end of duty. The ministry has no problems with any of them,” Mr Onyonka said.

He said long-serving Kenyan High Commissioner to the UK Joseph Muchemi was also replaced two weeks ago. Mr Muchemi, a confidant of President Kibaki, was appointed in 2003 and has served well beyond the regular limit in one station.

Mr Onyonka said the changes were meant to increase efficiency, adding that their replacement was in progress. The envoys are required to report back to the country by May 17.

Mr Onyonka said the junior staff, who include education attaches and accountants, had also completed their terms. They are expected to return by June.

On Thursday, Foreign minister Moses Wetang’ula declined to comment on the reshuffle until President Kibaki makes new appointments.

A diplomat said he had been asked to return to Nairobi by May 17. Some envoys were yet to get letters from the ministry recalling them, he said.

Dr Machage, a twin brother of assistant minister Wilfred Machage, was appointed in 2005. Mr Ogego was in the news prior to President Barack Obama’s election when he criticised the US president for his remarks during a visit to Kenya.

Kenya has 51 fully fledged missions with multiple accreditation, bringing its diplomatic cover to 100 countries. Some have, however, remained vacant because of differences between the PNU and ODM wings of the coalition government.

They include South Korea, Canberra, Brasil, Geneva, Vienna and Tokyo. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs public and communication director Egara Kabaji has resigned. Prof Kabaji said he quit on Monday for personal reasons.