BY Beauttah Omanga
Mr Henry Muli, independent Kenya’s first Ambassador to China, did not know what then President Jomo Kenyatta meant when he told him to carry his own smoking pipe to Peking (now Beijing).
"As I prepared to leave, Mzee Kenyatta summoned me to his office and gave me advice. He told me to ensure I carried my own tobacco pipe (kiko) in case I wanted to smoke, recalls Muli.
"All that Mzee wanted me to do was to go with my wife. He wanted us as first foreign civil servants, most of us very young then, to lead responsible lives out there. It was like he knew envoys who leave their families behind face temptations and wanted to caution me," said Muli.
Muli’s was one of the anecdotes told recently among 130 retired ambassadors who gathered at the Nairobi Intercontinental Hotel last week to witness the launch of their welfare association.
Memorable stories
Mr Bethwel Kiplagat |
Among the retired envoys present were Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura, Mr Bethwel Kiplangat Ms Mary Odinga, Mr Nicholas Mugo, husband of Cabinet Minister Beth Mugo, former senior military officers George Agoi, Daniel Opande and Dennis Afande, among others. Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula addressed the former diplomats.
Muli recalled his outstanding accolade. He was the only Kenyan ambassador whose accreditation papers were signed by Queen Elizabeth in 1963.
As Kenya celebrated her independence, Muli, 73, was appointed on December 12 by colonial masters and posted to China where he was to further relations between the two countries.
"My credentials were signed by the Queen, but I got a briefing from Mzee Jomo Kenyatta who was the Prime Minister," said Muli.
He says the queen, who was still Head of State, was the only one then mandated to sign envoys’ accreditation.
He however remembers Kenyatta’s advise which saw him lead a responsible life throughout his diplomatic career.
Occasionally, Muli said, President Kenyatta would summon all the ambassadors for what he termed " house keeping".
"Once back, we were to go straight to Kenyatta and brief him on everything. After which he would direct that we be taken to various places for a retreat," he said.
It was at such retreats, Muli recalls that experts updated them on various sectors. The professionals — mainly civil servants — would then implore us to take the message out there and that there was need for foreigners to visit Kenya.
Others appointed on the same day with Muli included Mr Burudi Nabwera (Washington), the late Josephat Karanja (London) and Otuko Adala (Russia).
Wish list
The retirees said they would like to serve, even in old age, as advisers on foreign policy matters.
Mr Henry Muli |
"My experience as an envoy was challenging but I enjoyed representing my country. I know you need assistance and as one of you, I will support you to achieve all that you want in your retirement," said Mr Muthaura.
Muthaura told the gathering the Government would consider their wish list read out by interim chairman Mr Afande.
Appreciation
Afande said all that the retirees wanted was recognition and involvement in national and international matters.
"With our experience, there is a lot we can offer the Government. We are available despite our age. We are ready to offer guidance to our successors when asked to do so," he said.
Mr Kiplagat condemned the post-election violence, saying it was a terrible set back to the country’s good reputation abroad.
"I have travelled a lot and I can tell you for sure that Kenya is respected globally. We should not again allow our country to slide back to those dark months when Kenyans turned against each other," he said.
He said Kenya was a sleeping giant "if only we did all within our capability well".
"Kenya is a superpower in Africa. We have all it takes to be a superpower and call shots in Africa if only we get our act right," said Kiplangat.
Mr Wetangula assured the former envoys that the Government appreciated their contribution since independence.
"My staff at the Foreign Affairs ministry will not treat you like aliens or ordinary citizens but as members of staff," said the minister.
He disclosed that following the scaling down of staff in foreign missions, the Government has saved a lot of funds, which were used to open new missions in many countries.
"If ambassadors serving their countries here in Kenya have Kenyan staff, we see no reason for seconding employees to do what citizens of the host nations will be able to do at even a cheaper rate," said Wetangula.
"It is unfortunate that while I am highly recognised for my contributions to broker peace in other countries, I am not appreciated as much back here at home," lamented Opande.
