In a letter addressed to the Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Relations on Thursday, January 9, former ICT Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ndung’u officially declined her nomination for the position of High Commissioner to Ghana. She attributed her decision to personal reasons and confirmed that she would not attend the scheduled approval hearing.
A Brief Tenure as ICT CS
Ndung’u’s nomination for the ambassadorial role came shortly after her removal as ICT CS on December 19, following a brief three-month tenure. She was replaced by William Kabogo in a reshuffle announced by President William Ruto. Her nomination for the High Commissioner role was part of a broader appointment exercise that included several former government officials.
Ndung’u’s Formal Withdrawal
In her letter to the committee, Ndung’u stated:
“Pursuant to Section 16 of the Public Appointment, Parliamentary Approval Act 3 of 2011, I wish to inform you that I will not appear before the said committee at the time and venue specified for the approval hearing.”
Other Key Appointments by President Ruto
Ndung’u’s nomination was part of a series of ambassadorial appointments made by President Ruto. Other notable nominees included:
- Former Sports CS Ababu Namwamba: Nominated as Kenya’s permanent representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- Dorothy Angote: Nominated as High Commissioner to Zimbabwe.
- Andrew Karanja: Selected as Kenya’s ambassador to Brazil.
Precedent for Declining Nominations
Ndung’u’s decision mirrors an earlier move by former West Mugirango Member of Parliament Vincent Mogaka. In April, Mogaka declined the position of High Commissioner to Ghana, citing family commitments as his primary reason. In his letter to the clerk of the National Assembly, Mogaka expressed gratitude for the nomination but emphasized that personal matters would prevent him from taking up the role.
“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 approval,” Mogaka’s letter read.
Implications of the Rejections
The withdrawals by Ndung’u and Mogaka highlight the complexities surrounding high-level appointments in Kenya, where personal and professional considerations often intersect with public service. Their decisions have opened the door for other potential nominees to be vetted and considered for these critical diplomatic roles.
As President Ruto’s administration navigates these developments, the focus remains on ensuring that the ambassadorial appointments are completed efficiently to support Kenya’s international representation and diplomatic objectives.
