MPs put Mwinzi South Korea envoy role debate on ice

Ms Mwende Mwinzi. FILE PHOTO | NMG

By EDWIN MUTAI
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Summary

• MPs have shelved a motion that would have sealed the fate of Mwende Mwinzi as Kenya’s nominee for ambassadorial post in Seoul, South Korea.
• Majority Leader Amos Kimunya successfully lobbied Speaker Justin Muturi to drop debate on a report asking the House to rescind its decision approving appointment of Ms Mwinzi.
• The House had on June 6, 2019 approved the appointment of Ms Mwinzi with a condition that she renounces her American citizenship prior to taking up the appointment.

MPs have shelved a motion that would have sealed the fate of Mwende Mwinzi as Kenya’s nominee for ambassadorial post in Seoul, South Korea.

Majority Leader Amos Kimunya successfully lobbied Speaker Justin Muturi to drop debate on a report asking the House to rescind its decision approving appointment of Ms Mwinzi.

The House had on June 6, 2019 approved the appointment of Ms Mwinzi with a condition that she renounces her American citizenship prior to taking up the appointment.

The High Court has already ruled that it is not madatory for a public nominee to renounce her dual citizenship before appointment.

Last week, Mr Kimunya said he needed three weeks to find out whether Ms Mwinzi had been appointed to take office in Seoul or had renounced her American citizenship.

“I seek to withdraw this motion until I bring concrete information. I have written letters to Attorney General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I am expecting a response,” Mr Kimunya said.

He said it will be premature for the House to debate a report and make binding recommendations when no one knows if an appointment has been made.

The House on Thursday threatened to block the budget for Kenya’s Embassy in South Korea following claims that Ms Mwinzi has taken over as ambassador despite the House settings strict conditions for her appointment.