Kenya's ambassador to China Mary Muthoni vacates office

Kenya's ambassador to China Mary Muthoni with Director General of African Affairs in China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wu Peng. [Twitter: @WuPeng_MFAChina]

The ambassador of Kenya to the People's Republic of China, Mary Muthoni Gichuhi, has wound up her tour of duty in the Asian nation.

This was announced through a tweet by Director General of the Department of African Affairs in China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wu Peng.

"Today I bid farewell to @AmbMaryMuthoni, #Kenyan Ambassador to China. I thanked her for her valuable contribution to the development of #China-#Kenya relations, and wish my dear sister #SafariNjema and all the best in the future," said Peng.

Muthoni hasn't lasted long at the helm of the Kenyan embassy in Beijing. She was appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in April 2022.

At the time, she was the chairperson of the Retirement Benefits Appeals Tribunal, and a member of several retirement benefits schemes.

She replaced Sarah Serem, who had been appointed in August 2018.

Muthoni made headlines after she disclosed her net-worth at the time, which stood at Sh400 million, making her the richest of the 21 envoys that Parliament approved for appointments.

During her 10-month stay in Beijing, Muthoni has been vocal in advancing agricultural trade between Kenya and China.

Reasons for her exit from Beijing have not been disclosed yet, even as President William Ruto is yet to make ambassadorial appointments.