President William Ruto on Friday, March 8 appointed new diplomats, a list that included besieged East African Community (EAC) Secretary-General Peter Mathuki.
In the latest appointments, President Ruto recalled Mathuki from the EAC and named him Kenya’s ambassador to Russia.
This move came as a shock to the entire region, as it came at a time when Mathuki was facing an impeachment motion over alleged misappropriation of funds at the secretariat.
Sources told The East African that Mathuki was due to resign from his position as EAC Secretary-General, thus, President Ruto had provided him a soft-landing.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is currently holding its sittings in Nairobi, Kenya, and the matter came up when the MPs were debating President Ruto’s speech during the inaugural session on Wednesday, March 6.
“The financial rules of the Treaty establishing the EAC, Budget Act, and all the legislation provide that every money coming into the Community must be appropriated,” Dennis Namara, EALA MP (Uganda) who is also the chairperson of the finance sub-committee, said.
Namara added: “Over $6 million that has been collected as far as I am concerned, that money has been spent and has never gone through appropriation. The Secretary-General never brought it to parliament for appropriation.”
Former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia has faulted President Ruto over the move, saying that he could have until Mathuki is cleared of any corruption allegations before rewarding him with another job.
Former EALA MP, Dr Mumbi Ngaru, says that by appointing Mathuki to a new job, President Ruto was only but saving the country’s face from ridicule.
Mathuki has been at the helm of EAC since 2021, when he replaced Burundi’s Liberat Mfumukeko.
The post is rotational among member states and the occupants serve for five years.
According to EAC Protocol, President Ruto has proposed the name of Caroline Mwende Mueke to replace Mathuki for the remaining two years.
Mueke will need to be approved by the Summit of Heads of State.
