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The National Assembly Defense, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee is expected to table its report on President William Ruto’s 27 nominees to the positions of ambassadors and high commissioners.

Committee has already retreated and is currently drafting its report on the suitability of the candidates following the conclusion of vetting last week.

Speaking during conclusion of the exercise last week, committee chairperson and Belgut MP Nelson Koech said they will be tabling their report in the House any time next week to allow Members to either approve or reject it.

 “We thank all the nominees for their presentations and pitches to this committee. We shall be retreating for report writing which will then be tabled before the House,” Koech said.

During the vetting exercise, the MPs were treated to drama and intrigues as some of the nominees did not have the requisite skills for the job. Ghosts of the past also come to haunt some of the nominees.

In addition, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) also gave a reservation on the suitability on some of the nominees

Ruto, on March 8, appointed new Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Permanent Representatives in the country’s missions abroad.

The most interesting case was the presentation by the nominee for Kenya’s consul-general in Goma, DRC Charles Keiru who had a rough time defending his academic qualifications and how he made it to the shortlist.

Githinji shocked the committee when he disclosed that his highest level of education is Form Four. Asked what diplomatic experience he had, if any, Githinji said he was only a simple businessman operating a petrol station.

Fixed assets

He said: “Should this committee approve me, I will endeavor to go to school and learn about this position as much as possible.”

Another nominee, Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief executive Ezra Chiloba, was also hard pressed to defend his Sh800 million net worth and the controversial exits from previous workstations.

Chiloba, who has been appointed as the Consul General to Los Angeles, had to explain his wealth starting his day one in formal employment. The MPs put him to task on how he amassed the multi-millions at the age of 46. But defending himself, Chiloba claimed his wealth mainly from fixed assets and ventures in agribusiness, and from consultancy services and salary from formal employment.

Grace Okara nominated as Permanent Representative to UN Habitat said she intends to align the UN Habitat’s role in ensuring decent housing and affordable housing programme.

Former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi declined his nomination as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Ghana, citing personal and family reasons.

 “I want to give my appreciation for the invitation to appear before the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations. I wish to inform you that I will not appear before the said committee for the approval hearing. This has been occasioned by my personal and compelling family matters which after taking into consideration will not allow me to take up the position of the High Commission to Ghana,” he said.

Ambassador Moi Lemoshira (Tokyo, Japan), a seasoned diplomat with 29 years in the service, pledged to strengthen trade ties between Kenya and Japan, particularly in trade of goods and education and scholarships partnerships.

Ekitela Lokaale, Kenya’s permanent representative to UN, New York, USA who presently serves as the Climate Change Advisor to the State Department of Foreign Affairs responded to questions regarding the reforms at the UN and the UN’s role in the Gaza humanitarian conflict.