Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Friday found himself in the spotlight as Members of Parliament raised questions regarding his request for an additional Sh350 million to facilitate the acquisition of a new embassy in London and renovate the facility in New York.
Despite the existing allocation of Sh1.74 billion for the London chancery purchase, concerns were raised about the necessity for additional funds. The project encountered delays after the tender for the chancery building purchase was deemed invalid due to the absence of a conveyancing lawyer. An audit conducted by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu revealed that Kenya had been spending Sh58.63 million annually to rent the London chancery until August 2023, with subsequent rent hikes expected to reach Sh95.18 million.
To address the poor conditions of diplomatic buildings, the Kenyan government has allocated a significant sum of Sh 2.3 billion in the 2024/25 budget for the construction and repairs of Kenyan embassies worldwide. Notably, Sh841 million has been earmarked for the repairs of the New York property, followed by allocations for embassies in Lusaka, Mogadishu, Rome, Washington DC, and Dar es Salaam. Additionally, plans are in place for the construction of new embassies in cities such as Kinshasa, Addis Ababa, The Hague, Pretoria, and Kampala.
Kenya’s extensive network of over 60 diplomatic missions globally serves as a crucial component in safeguarding and promoting the country’s interests on the international stage. As the nation seeks to enhance its diplomatic presence and infrastructure, the government’s commitment to allocating substantial resources towards this endeavour highlights the importance placed on maintaining strong diplomatic ties and representation worldwide.
Goldenberg all over again…
Goldenberg all over again with MDVD being in the center of the storm. This thief says there is no fund to save a Kenyan in Saudi Arabia. The next leadership must eliminate all these crooks, literally! That is the only way corruption , embezzlement and theft will be cacophonously dealt with in Kenya…
@Patel, I disagree that…
@Patel, I disagree that removing the current leaders would do away with corruption and embezzlement.Take the Kenya police which year after year is listed by international transparency as the most corrupt entity in the country. Changing the regime wont do a doodly squat.The mindset to steal is so ingrained in Kenyans that It would take some divine intervention if ever there was such a thing- a miracle.Short of that, we need to just hang corrupt officials.
How long have we been talking about eliminating corrption?Nothing has changed.Schools still cheat on exams, public officials still use fake certificates,politicians still bribe ,or better buy votes,men and women still cheat on each other…It’s a virus that needs powerful antibodies. No regime change alone wont do it. We need to revolutionize our thinking,in addition to hanging the offenders.We have to make corruption and stealing from the public coffers very unpleasant…Period.
Aside from the mdvdi same…
Aside from the mdvdi same old same old, long time ndugu Max, welcome back
Thanks for welcoming me …
Thanks for welcoming me @mundumugo. Indeed been awhile. Enjoyed my visit in the homeland…save for a few annoying relatives.
The worst thieves are the…
The worst thieves are the claimers of the “divine intervention”! They are now the hollier than thou lot. The fish is terribly rotten from the head to the tail! I keep wondering why all manner of evils seem to emanate from the continent of Africa and a good number of the third world countries. Is it that the black skin hates itself, lacks the moral conscience, or is it a long standing curse?
Africans (especially KENYAns…
Africans (especially KENYAns) are Evil in Africa; and Wherever else Rhey are All over the World. ⚠KENYAns are the Epitomy of the “Selfish CuCkoos”.
Kenyans will never come out…
Kenyans will never come out of corruption unless they go the Singaporean way of hanging corrupted officials. In Singapore they went additional way by including those associate in accomplishing corruptions and intensive Asset recovery exercise which is publicity announced. In Kenya this such bill will be the toughest thing to pass out parliaments and live alone the judicial will also hinder the efforts. Simply because this 3 arms of government are the top cream of corruption. The simplest way to pass this to law should be done through exercising the power of sovereign where the people take it to the streets for months and signs in their opinion. The people should also demand older corruption case to be publicly revived and made into a lifestyle audit.
Otherwise we go the west African way as the last resort since no corrupt puppet would like to leave office in a peaceful manner. I know this sound harsh, but the situation (over taxation is due to higher corruption period) needs a tougher force to counter the reality.
Comrade Maxiley,
Welcome…
Comrade Maxiley,
Welcome back.
Africa needs the likes of Ibrahim Traore. Period.
@ Kora Kanini,thanks comrade…
@ Kora Kanini,thanks comrade.I see you have effectively help the fort…