Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba is back in the spotlight with a new international role.
He has been appointed as the new president of the Nairobi Chapter of the Group of 77 and China (G77+China), a key coalition of developing nations at the United Nations.
Namwamba confirmed the news on July 4, saying he officially took over the leadership from Egyptian Ambassador Wael Nasreidin Attiya during a handover ceremony at the UN Complex in Nairobi.
The G77+China was established in 1964. It brings together 134 countries that work together within the UN system to champion the economic and development interests of the Global South.
“Kenya is honoured to chair this important group’s Nairobi Chapter,” Namwamba said in a statement.Namwamba praised Egypt’s leadership of the group and promised to continue leading it in the spirit of unity and shared purpose.
He also talked about Nairobi’s growing role as a hub for environmental diplomacy, stating that the city’s hosting of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.
Namwamba promised to help member countries develop a strong common voice ahead of major forums like the upcoming UN Environment Assembly (UNEA7).
This appointment marks Namwamba’s return to public after being dropped from President William Ruto’s Cabinet reshuffle.
Back then, he had served in the Sports docket and previously as Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2018 and 2022.
Namwamba is also a former Budalangi MP, having served in Parliament from 2007 to 2017.
