EACC flags three ambassadorial nominees as vetting begins

The exercise which commenced at the Parliamentary Mini Chambers saw five nominees including former Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi and former Law Society of Kenya Vice President Carolyne Kamende Daudi, defending their suitability.

No sooner had Maangi taken an oath before the National Assembly Defense, Intelligence and Foreign Relations committee than he learned that he had been implicated over integrity issues by the EACC.

“We have a letter from EACC indicating you were under investigation and your file submitted to ODPP, who instead referred the file back to EACC for further investigations,” said EACC chair Koech.

Maangi in his response said: “As clearly stated, ODPP did not prosecute me, I am innocent...this could be a witch hunt.”

The matter is under investigation by EACC involving a Multi-Million Housing project by the National Housing Corporation involving a company associated with the former Kisii Deputy Governor. 

“I am just a Director in the Company based in the US, the MD is the one that operates the firm and is being investigated,” Maangi said.

The Ambassadorial nominee to Kampala, Uganda, was also put to task over alleged inconsistencies in his earnings as compared to his net worth amounting to Ksh.690 million. 

“My net worth is Ksh.690 million and the inconsistency in monthly earnings is as a result of non-income generating assets in 3 houses I own,” Maangi noted.

Former LSK Deputy President Carolyne Kamende, the Ambassadorial nominee to Canada, assures Legislators that she will prioritize the expansion of bilateral between Nairobi and Ottawa, seek a reduction of the 173 Canadian Visa application maximum processing period as well as expanding Education scholarships through legitimate exchange students program. 

“I will strive to reciprocate the benefits Canada enjoys from Kenya...Trade, Education and Kenyans welfare in Canada will be my Priority,” Kamende said.

Ambassadorial nominee to London Catherine Kirumba Kremu, Ambassadorial nominee to Tehran Lieutenant General retired Jonah Mwangi and Lillian Tomitom, the Ambassadorial nominee to Lusaka, also defended their suitability before the Foreign Relations Parliamentary Watchdog. 

“I know Zambia shares a similar ugali name with Kenya ...sima in Kenya ..Nsima in Zambia, I am not very knowledgable but promise to do further research,” Tomitom said.