Kajiado county commissioner Harsama Kello on Tuesday cancelled the Australian envoy’s visit to Isinya, saying he did not first get permission from Nairobi.
Kello said Australian High Commissioner to Kenya John Feakes failed to get clearance from the Foreign Affairs ministry. Protocol requires approval for local movement of foreign envoys.
“There is nothing sinister about the action I took. He only failed to observe the Vienna Protocol that demands such movements be cleared by the Foreign Affairs office,” Kello said.
“This is a standard requirement for any envoy intending to travel. It doesn’t only apply to Kajiado county, but the rest of the country as well.”
He said during such visits, the Foreign Affairs ministry must provide a certificate of clearance to his office so he can prepare security on the ground.
Feakes was expected to visit Olturoto in Isinya yesterday morning at 8am.
He was to inspect the Kickstart Children’s Orphanage, a local church and school. Kickstart founder James Woodward, an Australian priest, was to accompany the ambassador.
“I’m sending a clear message to other envoys intending to visit my county to ensure they clear with the Foreign Affairs office in Nairobi before coming over,” Kello said.
He said he was alerted about the visit through a text message.
The message read: “Sir, the Australian Ambassador, H.E. John Feakes, will be visiting Olturoto in Isinya tomorrow (Wednesday) at 8am. He will visit Kickstart, a child orphanage, a local school and a church.”Kello immediately cancelled the trip and issued a press statement.
Some residents reacted angrily to Kello’s decision. Benjamin ole Tipatet said Feakes’ visit was for a worthy cause of helping the needy. Activist David Nchari echoed similar sentiments, saying, “It’s wrong for a state officer to cite protocols when a well-wisher wants to visit the less fortunate.”
