President William Ruto has revoked the appointment of former West Mugirango Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Mogaka Kemosi for a government role days after he declined his nomination.
President Ruto revoked the appointment while announcing the successful appointees for ambassadorial roles, with Mogaka’s name being struck from a new special gazette notice dated May 3, 2024.
Mogaka had been included in an initial list of 26 appointed envoys in Gazette Notice No. 5162 dated May 2, 2024, which announced the successful candidates appointed by the Head of State.
“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by Article 132 (2) (e) of the Constitution, 1, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint (26 nominees) to be High Commissioners, Ambassadors. Permanent Representatives and Consuls-General in Kenya’s Foreign Missions,” reads part of the notice.
In a twist of events, Kemosi had appeared among the list of 26 nominees who have been appointed despite declining the nomination earlier.
Mogaka Skips Vetting
Additionally, the former parliamentarian had made it in the list having skipped the vetting process which all nominees for the diplomatic roles had to undergo.
Kemosi failed to appear before the National Assembly Commitee on Foreign Affairs and Defense for vetting on April 9, 2024.
The former lawmaker who had been nominated to represent Kenya as an ambassador to Ghana, wrote a letter to the vetting Committee expressing his decision of turning down the offer.
Also Read: Ex-MP Turns Down Ruto’s Job Offer, Gives Reason
Kemosi’s rejection of the job offer was occasioned by his personal and compelling family matters according to the letter.
While reading a letter on behalf of Kemosi, Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee Chair Nelson Koech noted that the nominee cited family issues as the reason for turning down the nomination.
“I want to give my appreciation for the invitation to appear before the Departmental Committee on Defense Intelligence and Foreign Relations, I wish to inform that I will not appear before the said Committee for the approval,” read part of the letter.
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Following his rejection, West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka castigated Kemosi for turning down the nomination as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Ghana.
MP Calls Out Kemosi
Mogaka, while speaking to the press outside Parliament buildings, said it was sad that his predecessor had declined the nomination, failing to appear in parliament for vetting.
According to the lawmaker, Kemosi’s refusal to take up the job was a blow to the people of West Mugirango Constituency, who would benefit from the appointment.
“I’m issuing this statement to apologize to the president of the republic because Parliament was not the appointing authority to which a letter should have been written. It should have been written to the appointing authority well in advance,” Mogaka said.
The MP further urged his predecessor to take up the appointment and appealed to him to reconsider the decision he had made.
Mogaka further concluded that should his predecessor insist on not wanting the position, then President Ruto should consider replacing him with someone from the constituency.
Ruto makes 26 appointments
Kemosi was among a list of 26 nominees appointed by the Head of State to serve the nation as Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Permanent Representatives.
The appointments were made in the gazette notice following successful vetting by the Departmental Committee on Defense Intelligence and Foreign Relations.
Among them include former Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Director Ezra Chiloba, Catherine Kirumba Karemu, and former Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) Lietunant Generals Jonah Mwangi and Peter Mbogo Njiru.
Full List of New Kenyan High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives and Consuls-General
Catherine Kirumba Karemu, Jonah Mwangi Lt. Gen (Rtd.), Joash Arthur Maangi (Hon.). Lilian Tomitom (Hon.). Peter Mbogo Njiru Lt. Gen. (Rtd.). Carolyne Kamende Daudi, Fredrick Otieno Outa (Hon.), Anne Kisaka Nangulu (Prof.), Timothy Kaluma Mcharo, Christopher Andrew Lang’at (Hon.). Jessica Muthoni Gakinya, Halima Yussuf Mucheke (Hon.). David Kiplagat Kerich, Everlyne Mwenda Karisa, Peter Mutuku Mathuki (Dr.). Moi Lemoshira (Amb.). Kenneth Milimo Nganga. Abdi Aden Korio, Gertrude N. Angote, Grace Atieno Okara, Fancy Too (Dr.). Ekitela Erastus Lokaale. Ezra Chiloba, Aden Mohamud Mohamed, and David Iboko Lokemer.
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