Mwende Mueke breaks silence after EAC nominee changes

Ruto named Veronica Mueni Nduva as Kenya's new nominee for EAC secretary general post.

In Summary
  • Ruto made the changes on Tuesday and replaced Mueke as Kenya's nominee for the EAC Secretary General post with Veronica Mueni Nduva.
  • Nduva is the current Principal Secretary, State Department for Performance and Delivery Management at the Ministry of Public Service.
Mwende Mueke.
Mwende Mueke.
Image: HANDOUT

East African Community Secretary General's initial nominee Caroline Mwende Mueke has broken her silence after President William Ruto revoked her appointment.

Ruto made the changes on Tuesday and replaced Mueke as Kenya's nominee for the EAC Secretary General post with Veronica Mueni Nduva.

The changes were communicated via a letter dated April 15, signed by Cabinet Secretary for EAC, Peninah Malonza.

In a statement, Mueke said she is honoured to have received the initial nomination for the position of SG.

She further congratulated Mueni Nduva for her nomination.

"I was deeply honoured to receive the initial nomination for the position of Secretary General to serve the people of the East African Community. I thank His Excellency the President of Kenya for this nomination," she said.

"I extend my congratulations to PS Veronica Nduva on her nomination. I will continue to serve the Community in my current capacity at the United Nations. May God bless Kenya and East Africa."

Mueke had been nominated to replace Peter Mathuki who had been recalled back to the country.

Mathuki's recalling was occasioned by his nomination by President Ruto as Kenya's Ambassador to Russia.

In a letter addressed to Minister for EAC Affairs chairperson Deng Alor Kuol, Malonza said the President had decided to vary the nomination of his successor.

"Further to our letter Ref No EAC 4/CONF/2/ Vol 21(57) of March 15, 2024, informing of a Presidential Action nominating Ms Caroline Mwende Mueke for appointment as the new Secretary General by the Summit, in accordance with Article 67 (1) of the EAC Treaty; we write to inform you the President of the Republic of Kenya has varied the nomination of Ms Mueke to the position of the EAC Secretary General," the letter reads in part.

"The Republic of Kenya now presents Ms Veronica Mueni Nduva for appointment to the position of the Secretary General of the East African Community," it adds.

Nduva is the current Principal Secretary, State Department for Performance and Delivery Management at the Ministry of Public Service.

If appointed, she will be the third Kenyan to hold the post after Francis Muthaura, who served from 1996 to 2001, and Mathuki (2021-2024).

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