EAC Boss Peter Mathuki Nominated Kenya Ambassador to Russia
Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has chosen Peter Mathuki, the Secretary-General of the East African Community (EAC), to serve as Kenya’s Ambassador to Russia.
The appointment coincides with Dr. Mathuki’s tenure at the EAC since 2021, during which he is under scrutiny for potential financial misconduct at the secretariat, leading to discussions of impeachment.
The issue arose in the discussion following President Ruto’s address, which took place on Wednesday, March 6, during the opening session of the 5th East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) in Nairobi.
“The financial rules of the Treaty establishing the EAC, Budget Act, and all the legislation provide that every money coming into the Community must be appropriated,” said Dennis Namara, Eala MP (Uganda), the chairperson of the finance sub-committee.
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“Over $6 million that has been collected as far as I am concerned, that money has been spent and has never gone through appropriation. The SG never brought it to parliament for appropriation.”
Dr. Mathuki, present at the gathering, minimized the significance of the allegations leveled against him, opting to prioritize the President’s address instead.
Before becoming a member of the EAC, Dr. Mathuki served as the Executive Director of the East African Business Council for an extended period. This council encompasses private sector associations within the EAC member states.
His nomination as an ambassador occurred almost three years after assuming leadership at the regional bloc’s secretariat, succeeding Burundi’s Liberat Mfumukeko.
Mathuki replacement
As per the EAC protocol, the designated leader of a member state puts forth a nominee, who subsequently receives approval from the Summit of Heads of State. The position typically rotates among member countries, with each occupant serving a term of five years.
Kenya has suggested Caroline Mwende Mueke as a replacement for Dr. Mathuki to serve the remaining two years at the EAC.
The public policy specialist has experience across different departments and endeavors within the United Nations, such as Unesco, UNDP, and the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan.
Ms. Mueke needs the endorsement of the heads of state during a summit gathering.
Dr. Mathuki, the second Kenyan to hold the position of SG after Francis Muthaura, has a background as an Eala member of Parliament. In this role, he chaired both the Committee on Legal Affairs and Good Governance and the Committee on Accounts, Trade, and Investment.
He has occupied governmental roles in Kenya and served in global organizations such as the International Labour Standards within the former International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU-Africa), now known as ITUC-Africa, where he held the position of director.
EAC Boss Peter Mathuki Nominated Kenya Ambassador to Russia