Charles Githinji: DRC Consul-General nominee shocks MPs with glaring inexperience, limited education

Charles Githinji, President William Ruto's nominee for Consul-General to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stunned Kenyans after telling a vetting committee that a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) equates to its total population.

Responding to a query regarding the definition of GDP, Githinji told the National Assembly's Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee that, "GDP is the current population and the escalation of the population of a country."

Leaving everyone bewildered, he added: “I will go back to foreign affairs academy to learn more about this job.”

Githinji also left the committee scratching their heads after revealing that his only academic qualification was the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in which he scored an D grade.

The committee Chair, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, was further stumped on how Githinji even ended up on the nomination list given that his only job experience was “running a petrol station.”

"The only job experience you have is running a petrol station and you have been nominated to a very senior diplomatic position. I don't even know how you ended up on the nomination list,” lamented Hassan.

"How will you be able to carry out these diplomatic responsibilities given your own limitations in terms of education and experience?"

Another committee member also called out several inconsistencies in Githinji's pronouncements; for instance, he had told the panel that he was worth Ksh.13.5 million, while on paper he had indicated Ksh.19 million.

He also told the committee chair that he had not furthered his education since leaving high school but his papers indicated that he had acquired a Certificate in Business Management and had done driving too.

He did not, however, attach any of the extra academic papers to his Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Githinji's glaring lack of merit appeared shocking for a Consul-General nominee, granted the expectation that such appointees should have fundamental economic knowledge, crucial for representing Kenyan commercial interests in Goma if confirmed.

Nominated by President Ruto last month, Githinji's potential responsibilities as Consul-General include the formulation and execution of Kenya's foreign policy, safeguarding national interests, and advocating for the commercial interests of Kenyan citizens.

Basic requirements for the role include holding a degree and a minimum of five years of experience in a customer-facing capacity.

While his educational background remains unclear, his prior employment as a petrol station attendant precedes his nomination.