The process of approving new ambassadors and their deputies who were appointed by President William Ruto has began after MPs in the National Assembly initiated the process of debating the list before approval.
Already, a notice has been issued by the clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge inviting members of the public to submit written submissions on the list of nominees.
In a notice published on national dailies, Njoroge has advised members of the public with reservations on any of the nominees to present written submissions to Parliament together with supporting documents ahead of the vetting process.
The notice is in compliance with Article 118 (1) (b) of the Constitution and Section 6 (9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act 2011.
The two sets of laws advocate for public participation prior to approval hearings of persons nominated as ambassadors, High Commissioners and Permanent Representatives of the Republic.
“The memoranda may be forwarded to the Clerk of the National Assembly P.O Box 41842-0100 Nairobi, hand delivered to the Office of the Clerk, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi or emailed to cna@parliament.go.keto be received on or before Monday, 23rd October, 2023 by 5pm,” reads the Notice.
Subsequently the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations is also set to conduct approval hearings and vetting of the nominees from October 25th, 2023 to November 2nd, 2023 at the County Hall Mini-Chamber.
This is after the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, conveyed a message from the President to the House regarding the nomination of the 27 persons to be positions of ambassador, High Commissioners and Permanent Representatives of the Republic.
Speaker Wetang’ula made the communication pursuant to Standing order 45 (1) of the House.
The nominees now await approval hearings before the Defense, Intelligence and Foreign Relations chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech.
Section 8 of the Public Appointments Parliamentary Approval Act directs that the Committee has 28 days within which to Act on the President’s message.
“The Committee is therefore expected to immediately commence work and to table its Report on or before November 8, 2023, to enable the House to consider the matter within the Statutory timelines,” said Wetang’ula.
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