PUNISH ROGUE KENYAN ENVOYS BUT FIRST INSTILL DISCIPLINE IN OUR FOREIGN SERVICE!

DAILY NATION EDITORIAL
Posted Wednesday,
October 7 2009

For several months this year, this newspaper kept reporting about vacant diplomatic positions that could not be filled because the two main partners in the Coalition Government could not agree on the appointments.

Conversely, we stated that some diplomats had refused to return home after their tenure expired. And this demonstrated the tragedy of politicising the diplomatic service. Appointments were being made out of political expediencies, rather than patriotic and professional consideration.

The trend did not stop there, even when the appointments were finally made. As we reported on Wednesday, a diplomat in one of the key missions, has not returned despite advice from the Foreign Ministry.

As this was happening, Prime Minister Raila Odinga was chastising the Foreign Ministry and the Public Service Commission for non-adherence to performance contracting.

Perhaps, it is such practices where the Foreign Ministry cannot direct, let alone discipline its staffers, that explain why it cannot achieve its performance targets.

When Kenyans call for reform in the public service, they have in mind an outfit where entry and exit criteria are clear, where procedures are followed and systems work.

But when officials defy rules and get away with it, or rules are bent to suit particular interests, then disenchantment sets it.

Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula must take charge. Let all recalled envoys return home, and those who refuse punished. Foreign missions are not places for political rewards.