- Ababu Namwamba has been given a new assignment from UNEP Nairobi to serve as Kenyan Ambassador to Uganda
- President William Ruto announced changes to the foreign service on January 21, citing vacancies due to consular terms being completed
- Joash Maangi, who was previously in Kampala, has now been posted to Brussels as Kenya’s ambassador to Belgium
Ababu NamwambaKenya’s permanent representative at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Nairobi, has been given a new job in Kampala.
Source: Twitter
He will serve as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda.
Why William Ruto made changes in foreign embassies
In a message from the White House in Nairobi on Wednesday, January 21, Namwamba immediately starts his new job from the President William Ruto.
The changes were caused by vacancies in foreign embassies.
“The Honorable President this afternoon has approved changes in the Foreign Service of the nation. These changes are needed due to the open positions resulting from the completion of the terms of service of the serving Ambassadors,” said the spokesman of the White House, Hussein Mohamed.
Meanwhile, Joash Maangi, who served as Kenya’s High Commissioner in Uganda, was appointed to Brussels, Belgium, by the European Union as Kenya’s ambassador there, replacing Professor Bitange Ndemo.
Why did the DRC reject Ruto’s choice for the post of Kenyan ambassador in the country?
In contrast, TUKO.co.ke recently reported on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) rejecting Ruto’s appointment of a new ambassador in Goma.
Ruto had appointed Judy Kiaria to serve as ambassador to the war-torn eastern region of the DRC.
In an official statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DRC, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, criticized Ruto for failing to consult with Kinshasa before appointing the ambassador in Goma, stressing that the volatile situation there required prior cooperation with the DRC government.
He declared the appointment null and void until proper diplomatic procedures were followed, while affirming his country’s independence.
Source: Twitter
Although Wagner spoke with the Kenyan Foreign Minister Stay Mudavadi in order to strengthen bilateral relations, Kinshasa insisted that the Goma position will only be addressed within the agreed diplomatic framework.
Why Junet Mohamed is not happy with Ruto’s appointment
In other news, Suna East Junet Mohamed once criticized Ruto for ignoring merit in selection, saying that trust is often prioritized over ability.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he criticized the appointing authority for favoring politicians and dismissing civil servants instead of qualified professionals.
The debate included the suitability of the former Minister of Health Susan Nakhumicha to serve as Kenya’s permanent representative to UN‑Habitat, a position questioned by Junet, due to his expulsion in July 2024 for alleged ineffectiveness and lack of diplomatic qualities.
He stressed that the appointment deprives career diplomats of opportunities, discourages civil servants, and undermines professional standards.
Junet further asked why people removed from office for negligence or misconduct are quickly transferred to positions, noting that previous administrations did not participate in this process.
He warned that he would introduce a law to prevent fired civil servants or failed politicians from taking up positions reserved for professionals.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
