Mwingi West MP Hon. Charles Nguna Ngusya on Tuesday appeared before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations as the panel reviewed the Foreign Service (Amendment) Bill, 2025, during its pre-publication scrutiny.
The Bill proposes amendments to the Foreign Service Act, Cap 185E, aimed at increasing the proportion of Kenya’s envoys—ambassadors, high commissioners, and permanent representatives—who come from the career diplomatic corps.
Hon. Nguna explained that the Bill seeks to establish a clear structure in diplomatic appointments, with no more than 70% drawn from career diplomats and no more than 30% from non-career diplomats. This aligns with the Government’s foreign policy goals as outlined in Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025.
He noted that the current provision in Section 20 of the Foreign Service Act requires a “fair balance” between career and non-career diplomats, a term the Committee observed is vague and lacks a specific standard to guide appointments.
The proposed amendment replaces the ambiguous wording with a definite ratio and mandates the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs to specify which missions will be led by career or non-career diplomats.
Committee Members also highlighted that Article 132(2)(e) of the Constitution empowers the President to nominate and appoint ambassadors and high commissioners, subject to National Assembly approval. They further noted that other public service laws—such as Section 47 of the Public Service Commission Act, which outlines qualifications for Principal Secretaries—provide similar guidance even where the Constitution is silent.
The Committee is expected to prepare and table its report before the National Assembly in due course.
