𝐌𝐏 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐬 ‘𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧.

In a fiery parliamentary session that could rival a reality TV show, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed took center stage as he criticized President William Ruto’s recent diplomatic appointments. The Minority Leader didn’t hold back as he slammed what he called the ‘recycling of failed politicians’ into ambassadorial positions, sparking a heated debate among Members of Parliament.

Junet didn’t mince his words when he pointed out the government’s habit of reappointing former officials to different roles, a practice he claimed started with the Jubilee regime. He argued that this trend was detrimental to career civil servants who had worked hard to climb the ranks, only to be overshadowed by politically connected appointees at the top.

His solution? For every 10 diplomatic appointments, at least seven should be career diplomats. A bold move that aimed to level the playing field and give deserving professionals a chance to shine on the international stage.

One of the appointees that drew Junet’s ire was former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, whose controversial tenure didn’t sit well with the MP. Despite his opposition, Nakhumicha found support from other lawmakers, including Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who praised her for laying a solid foundation during her time at the health docket.

As the debate raged on, it became clear that the issue of ‘recycled leaders’ in ambassadorial positions was a contentious one, with strong opinions on both sides. Junet’s bold stance against this practice shed light on the need for a more meritocratic approach to diplomatic appointments, where competence and experience precede political connections.

In a political landscape where loyalty often trumps competence, Junet Mohamed’s criticism of ‘recycled leaders’ serves as a wake-up call to the powers that be. It’s time to break the cycle and give deserving professionals a chance to represent Kenya globally. The ball is now in President Ruto’s court – will he heed the calls for change or continue down the path of political patronage? Only time will tell.