Christopher Kirigua, the Director General of the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) at the National Treasury was appointed to the United States Embassy.
However, the DG is yet to report to his workstation after the appointment in March 2024.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on Monday, September 23, over the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Adani Group deal, Kirigua revealed that he was yet to accept his appointment.
When put to task to explain whether he was serving in the National Treasury and the US embassy, he said that he was not.
In May 23, the White House published a list of expected guests ahead of President William Ruto’s state visit to the US.
Notably, Christopher Kirigua was listed as the “Deputy Chief of Mission, Kenyan Embassy, Washington D.C.”
Also Read: Former Ambassador Stole Land from Dead Man – DPP
PPP Treasury DG Explains terms of His Appointment
Kirigua explained to the committee that he was indeed appointed as the Deputy Ambassador of Kenya in the Washington DC Mission. However, he had not yet assumed the role because he did not accept the terms offered.
In his submission before the Committee, Kirigua said that discussions were ongoing as he pushed for better employment terms from the government.
“On the question of my appointment as the Deputy Ambassador in the US, yes I was appointed. We have not finalized on my terms. I was appointed to the Treasury in 2020 December and appointed as Deputy Head of Mission in Washington Dc in March of this year.
“Since then, a lot of discussions are ongoing and I have not yet formally accepted my appointment and the reason purely for this is that the terms that were offered do not match my existing terms,” he said.
Kirigua , however, told the Senate Committee that he had not completely rejected the offer, and he had just sent in another letter to continue the discussion on his terms of employment.
“I have not rejected the appointment; I am hoping they will fix my terms. Actually, I sent a letter out to them two weeks ago,” he added.
Also Read: Moses Kuria Clarifies Reports of Being Nominated as Ambassador
Is he Earning a Salary from Both Treasury and Washington DC Role?
In its response, the committee pressed Christopher Kirigua to clarify whether he was earning a salary from a role he had not yet assumed.
It was also revealed that the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) had moved to court over the matter.
Treasury CS John Mbadi said that Kirigua had not resigned from his PPP docket, adding that he was still earning a salary from the Ministry.
Moreover, Mbadi said that he was informed that the DG was not earning a salary for the role in Washington DC.
“As national treasury, until we get a letter that he has taken up another role, we have no reason to stop paying him. But I can confirm that he is not earning a salary as the deputy head of mission in Washington DC.
“The LSK letter about the appointment of Chris, I cannot push my employee to take up another job. I would be happy is he stayed behind to help me with work. But it is illegal for him to take two jobs because we have not yet found his replacement,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
