The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations has completed the vetting process of four nominees for ambassadorial and consular posts.
The strained relations between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were the main issues that dominated the committee questions. Judy Kiaria, nominated as Kenya envoy to Kinshasa, after it was made known that the DRC government had formally refused the posting of a Kenyan consul general to Goma, faced critical questioning by members of parliament.
Law makers asked her to be specific on how she will regain the trust of the relationship and ensure Kenyas people are safe in the area of unrest.
Kiarie admitted that it was a defeat in diplomacy but still committed to having good discussions with Kinshasa and protecting Kenyans especially those in Goma due to insecurity there.
The issue of Kenyan migrant workers was also one of the major themes of the vetting exercise. Joseph Musyoka Masila, who was nominated to serve in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was asked to come up with the rising cases of abuse of domestic workers as a focus point for the solution of the problem.
The MPs requested him to explain the safety measures he will use to not only protecting but also strengthening the labour relations with the host country.
The committee has also vetted Jane Toroitich, nominated as Consular General to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Edwin Afande, nominated as Kenya ambassador to Vienna, Austria.
The nominees were asked about the priorities that they had in furthering Kenya diplomatic footprint and trade as well as helping Kenyan diaspora.
The committee is now ready to go off and write its report on the fitness of the four nominees. When the National Assembly comes back from recess, the report will be available for discussion.
The vetting is happening while there is a lot of insecurity in the DRC Goma region, the continued unrest in Haiti, and the worries about the Kenyan workers abroad that have not gone away – these are some of the issues that MPs say will be the first tests of Kenya diplomatic skills for the next group of envoys.
