Shame of dilapidated Kenyan missions

Kenyan diplomats abroad are forced to pretend that they are not Kenyans so as not to bring shame to the country, a parliamentary committee was told.

That's because even with the country's big name as a result of the world-beating athletes, posh tourism sites and vibrant political scene, the buildings which the foreign missions occupy are badly run-down.

The vice chairman of the National Assembly's Defence and Foreign Relations Committee Barre Shill (Fafi) said the foreign service staff confessed that they were ashamed to host visitors in the consulates and foreign missions because they are dilapidated.

"Some of us when we go to the missions we are really ashamed. They were really broke. They told us that when the landlords want to evict them from the consulates, they have to say they are not Kenyans so as not to give the country a bad name.

"When they ask, 'are you Kenyans?, we say, no we are Nigerians'... It is a very sad but true story," said Mr Shill, quoting the diplomatic staff from an undisclosed consulate.

The consulates also lack money to pay salaries. "Almost over 50 missions have been having problems paying rent and salaries," the MP said as he pushed for the allocation of Sh21.9 billion – an extra Sh7 billion for the foreign missions infrastructure.

hard hit

The committee has visited the missions and according to Shill, who spoke at a meeting with the Budget and Appropriations Committee, the problem is with the funding. He cited the mission in Somalia, and the consulate in Pretoria as some of the most hard hit.

In the report to the Budget and Appropriations Committee, the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires the full allocation of Sh21.9 billion to ensure that it meets all its maintenance targets in the foreign missions, and buy new buildings in New York.