Parliament approves Serem appointment as China envoy despite Duale threat

Majority Leader Aden Duale’s threat to teach Sarah Serem “a lesson” seems to have been just that, a threat, after Parliament approved all nine ambassadorial nominees.

The threat stemmed from claims of Serem cutting down MPs’ benefits during her tenure as chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

But the Parliamentary Defense Committee’s approval now paves way for Serem to head to China. She was approved alongside other eight envoys nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta to represent the country in different foreign missions.

Among the nine include former Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss Ndegwa Muhoro who will now serve as Kenya’s ambassador to Malaysia, while ex-State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu is set to represent the country in the United Kingdom.

During vetting, Muhoro stated his net worth as Ksh.88 million while Esipisu mentioned Ksh. 100 million.

Former chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Ms. Sarah Serem will now be Kenya’s envoy to China while Lt. Gen. Samuel Thuita, the former Kenya Air Force Commander, will move to Israel.

Below is the full list of Kenya’s new envoys and their respective stations: 

Ms. Sarah Serem – China

Lt. Gen. Samuel Thuita – Israel

Mr. Francis Ndegwa Muhoro – Malaysia

Mr. Manoah Esipisu – United Kingdom

Mr. Paddy Ahenda – Qatar

Amb. Peter Nicholas Oginga Ogego – Saudi Arabia

Mr. Johnson Kimani Ondieki – Turkey

Mr. Chris Karumba Mburu – Juba, South Sudan

Hon. Benjamin Langat – Namibia