President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene Ruto and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga were among the people listed to be part of the Kenyan delegation at the COP28 Summit.
According to a provisional list obtained by The Kenya Times, Kenya would have attendees drawn from various government ministries, agencies, non-governmental organizations and even the private sector.
President William Ruto, who was listed as a keynote speaker in the summit, leads the list together with Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya.
Part of the delegation also included staff members from the Office of the President and the Office of the First Lady and a host of other government officials.
Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi’s name also featured on the list as the guest of the nominating country.
In addition, Charlene Ruto’s name stood out in the list, with the organizers indicating she would be attending as an executive of the Smart Mechanized Agriculture & Climate Action for Humanity and Sustainability (SMACHS) Foundation.
Why Charlene Ruto was nominated to attend COP28
Ms Ruto has been the Patron of the organization which tackles youth unemployment, food insecurity and the ravages of a changing climate through smart agriculture.
On his part, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga was listed as a Senator and a guest of the nominating entity (Kenya).
Also on the list is former news anchor Ann Kiguta who according to the list is communications personnel representing the Office of Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.
A host of governors were also nominated to attend, among them Vihiga’s Wilber Ottichilo, WavInya Ndeti (Machakos), Nathif Jama (Garissa), and Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri.
Also Read: Ruto Flies to UAE to Push for Africa Agenda at COP28
Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi is also in attendance, and so is Energy CS Davis Chirchir, Water CS Zachary Njeru, and Prof Nuguna Ndungu of Treasury.
In addition, Attorney General Justin Muturi, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed are also in the Middle East Kingdom for the Summit.
For the private sector, Equity Bank’ CEO James Mwangi was among those attending, as well Emily Mwenda Waita, the Chairperson of the Kenya Private Sector Association (KEPSA).
Speaking to a journalist in Dubai on Friday, December 1, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga explained that governors’ attendance in the Summit was of showing their commitment to climate action.
Also Read: COP28: President Ruto’s Full Speech as He Articulates Africa’s Agenda
He stated that governors are usually so busy, but they chose to attend the Summit, nevertheless.
“Climate change is a very serious problem that we are handling,” Kahiga stated.
“Our commitment should even be seen by our being her.”
Mudavadi tasked to axe COP28 attendees’ list
The high number of people attending such summits has in the past raised concerns especially in the light of the economic situation necessitating austerity.
Days to the Cop28 Summit, reports emerged stating that a team comprising Foreign Affairs CS and Environment CS Tuya would vet the list of people seeking to travel to Dubai.
In a statement on Saturday, however, Kenya Kwanza operative Dennis Itumbi disputed the lengthy list noting that the President was keen on cutting down travel costs.
According to the digital strategist and Ruto ally, the President asked for the list of those travelling with him to Dubai for Cop 28.
Initially, Itumbi notes, Ruto got a list of 189 people but returned and demanded cuts.
“Finally, only 51 Essential staff travelled from across Government,” Itumbi stated.
“That was a 73% cut on travel costs. Ignore the rumors being spread by the usual suspects.”
