President William Ruto‘s administration plans to change the appointment of ambassadors to ensure representation of different communities in the country.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs explained to parliament the staffing arrangements at Kenyan embassies.
During a hearing at the Senate on October 9, 2024, Senator Catherine Mumma asked Mudavadi whether the government had a policy in place that guides the appointment of political and career diplomatic ambassadors.
“We are in the process of formulating a sessional paper which will be discussed by Parliament and one of the critical issues that would be put across is to have a conversation as a country so that we can establish a reasonable ratio so that we can have career progression for the diplomats who are in office,” he explained.
On his part, Tana River County Senator Mungatana questioned Mudavadi on how his ministry would ensure all communities in Kenya were represented in diplomatic missions.
Appointment of Ambassadors
Mudavadi stated that his ministry was making deliberate efforts to ensure ambassadorial positions reflected the face of Kenya and the diversity of Kenya.
Also Read: Drama as Diplomats Clash During High Level Summit Attended by Mudavadi
Responding to questions from members of parliament on staffing levels at Kenyan consulates including those in Washington DC and Los Angeles in the United States, Mudavadi elaborated that an adequate number of employees was required to ensure efficient delivery of service.
“Low staffing levels may occasion service delivery such as delays in processing visas, managing communications, and executing policy initiatives,” he explained.
However, he stated that the government was working to ensure a reasonable number of people work at the different consulates.
“The Ministry in collaboration with the Public Service Commission of Kenya finalized the Organization structure for the State Department in July 2024 to determine the optimal staffing needs and levels. Currently, the Ministry is in the process of implementing the rationalized organization structure,” he elaborated.
Also Read: Mudavadi Makes Three Diplomatic Appointments
Issuance of National Identity Cards in the US
About concerns regarding the delay in the issuance of national identity cards to Kenyans living in US, Mudavadi stated his ministry serves as a facilitator ministry.
Additionally, he expounded that the issuance of national identity cards falls under the mandate of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration; therefore, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is not in a position to provide an authoritative response to this question.
However, he requested that parliament redirects the question to the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.
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