Kenyan-American, Mwende Mwinzi’s nomination to be appointed Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Korea has been backed by the Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) regardless of her dual citizenship.

A parliamentary committee asked her to either renounce her American citizenship or forget the prestigious appointment as Kenya’s constitution dictates that a State officer cannot hold dual citizenship .

Kenya Diaspora Alliance has, however, said Mwinzi should be appointed regardless of her dual citizenship.

The lobby’s global chairman, Shem Ochuodho, described the National Assembly’s Defence and Foreign Relations recommendation that she renounces her US citizenship as punitive.

Ochuodho noted the matter affected not only Mwende but thousands of people living in diaspora and generations to come who will reside abroad, Daily Nation reported.

“KDA considers that the matter of renouncing other citizenship is no longer a “Mwende issue” but an affront on all diaspora, dual citizens, women, children of diaspora and all future generations of Kenyans residing abroad,” he said.

“KDA considers that the matter of renouncing other citizenship is no longer a “Mwende issue” but an affront on all diaspora, dual citizens, women, children of diaspora and all future generations of Kenyans residing abroad,”

Shem Ochuodho

Ochuodho noted that Article 234 (3) of the Constitution distinguishes ambassadors and diplomatic officers as unique ‘public officers’, with very distinct attributes to those of ‘State officers’.

The report of the committee chaired by Kajiado South MP Katoo Ole Metito is set for debate in the House where the legislatures will make a decision on whether to approve or reject it.

If approved as is, Muturi will submit it to President Uhuru Kenyatta for formal appointment but Mwinzi’s name will only be gazetted after she renounces her US citizenship.

Mwinzi Mwende was among seven individuals who were vetted by the National Assembly Defence and Foreign Relations Committee

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