The Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations is set to vet two nominees for senior diplomatic positions, as Parliament continues its oversight role in foreign service appointments.

The nominees are Humphrey Wattanga, proposed as High Commissioner to Ottawa, Canada, and Julius Murori Mbijiwe, nominated as Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican).

The vetting sessions are scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2026, under the chairmanship of Belgut MP Nelson Koech.

“The Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations is set to conduct approval hearings for two nominees to senior diplomatic positions, marking a significant step in Kenya’s foreign service appointments.”

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, formally transmitted the nominations to the House on April 16, 2026.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, issued a public notice on April 17, 2026, inviting members of the public to submit memoranda on the suitability of the nominees by Friday, April 24, 2026.

Vetting process

The committee is expected to examine the nominees on competence, integrity, leadership experience, and their strategic plans for advancing Kenya’s diplomatic interests.

The process forms part of parliamentary approval procedures for senior foreign service appointments.

Public participation was opened to allow stakeholders to submit views on the nominees before the vetting hearings. The submissions are expected to inform the committee’s questioning and assessment during the sessions.

The hearings will also review the nominees’ understanding of Kenya’s foreign policy objectives, including bilateral relations, trade promotion, consular services, and cultural cooperation.

Diplomatic priorities

The nomination of a High Commissioner to Canada comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, climate action, and diaspora engagement within the Commonwealth framework. Canada remains one of Kenya’s key partners in technology transfer, agriculture, and development cooperation.

The proposed ambassadorial posting to the Vatican follows the Cabinet’s approval in November 2025 to establish a Kenyan embassy at the Holy See.

The mission is intended to deepen diplomatic relations, particularly in education, health, and social development partnerships with faith-based organisations.

The Vatican posting is also expected to support Kenya’s broader multi-faith diplomacy agenda and engagement with international religious institutions.

Foreign service

The diplomatic appointments are part of broader government efforts to expand Kenya’s global presence through new missions and strategic postings. The Cabinet has also approved the establishment of additional embassies in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Hanoi, Vietnam.

Other national initiatives approved alongside foreign policy expansion include infrastructure development projects, road upgrades, land settlement loan waivers, and wildlife corridor conservation programmes.

The committee is expected to complete the vetting process and submit its report to the National Assembly for consideration before final approval of the appointments.