Former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u has declined President William Ruto’s nomination as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Ghana, citing personal and compelling family matters.
Ndung’u was scheduled to appear before the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations for vetting on Friday at 9 am but instead sent a letter informing the committee of her decision.
The letter was read aloud by the committee’s chair, Nelson Koech, who remarked that the Accra posting appears to be jinxed, as Ndung’u is the second nominee to decline the position, following former West Mugirango MP Victor Mogaka Kemosi’s refusal in April 2024.
“I would like to express my appreciation for the invitation to appear before the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations on January 10, 2025, at the Parliament building in Nairobi,” Ndung’u’s letter stated.
“Pursuant to Section 16 of the Public Appointment Parliamentary Approval Act No. 3 of 2011, I regret to inform you that I will not appear before the committee at the time and venue specified for the approval hearing.”
She further explained, “This decision has been prompted by personal and compelling family matters that, after careful consideration, will prevent me from taking up the position of High Commissioner to Ghana as nominated by President William Ruto on November 19, 2024. To avoid wasting the committee’s valuable time, I kindly request that this letter serve as notice of my non-appearance.”
Ndung’u was nominated for the diplomatic role alongside Dr. Andrew Karanja (Ambassador to Brazil), Ababu Namwamba (Permanent Representative to the UNEP in Nairobi), and Noor Gabow (Consul-General to Port-au-Prince).
Karanja, Namwamba, and Gabow were vetted today.
