Senate Committee Engages PCS Mudavadi on Foreign Policy and Diaspora Welfare
Senator Edwin Sifuna voiced the committee’s frustrations, highlighting the lack of timely interactions between Parliament and the Ministry.
Senators Grill Mudavadi Over Foreign Policy and Kenyans’ Welfare Abroad. Photo/Parliament of Kenya.
By Robert Assad
The Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on Tuesday held a crucial session with Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, to address concerns over Kenya’s foreign policy execution and the welfare of its citizens abroad.
Chaired by Senator Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo), the committee pressed Mudavadi on delayed legislative engagements and unresolved diaspora issues.
Senator Edwin Sifuna voiced the committee’s frustrations, highlighting the lack of timely interactions between Parliament and the Ministry.
“It is quite shocking that there have been whole sessions that have not had occasion to interact with the cabinet secretary responsible for foreign affairs,” Sifuna remarked, citing parliamentary questions pending for months.
Among the key issues raised were delays in passport processing, high visa fees affecting Kenyan students, and the troubling cases of citizens missing or facing mistreatment abroad, particularly in Middle Eastern countries.
Senators also demanded explanations on the opacity surrounding scholarship allocations and the controversial appointment of non-career diplomats to foreign missions.
Furthermore, the committee sought Kenya’s official positions on sensitive global conflicts, including tensions over Taiwan and the Palestine-Israel situation.
Lawmakers also questioned the government’s decision to host foreign negotiation groups in Nairobi, asking for clarity on the rationale and benefits to Kenya.
Responding to the senators, PCS Mudavadi acknowledged the concerns and pledged corrective measures. “Having been a parliamentarian, I take parliamentary business very seriously. Where there have been lapses, we shall take care and take corrective measures,” he assured the committee.
On passport delays, Mudavadi clarified that the mandate lies with the Interior Ministry but promised better coordination to ease the backlog.
He also supported calls for transparency in scholarship awards, saying, “It is important that we make public where scholarships have been offered.”
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the “One China Policy” and backed a “Two-State Solution” regarding Palestine. He disclosed plans to ensure that 70% of diplomatic appointments go to career professionals, addressing criticism over the influx of political appointees.
Acknowledging funding challenges faced by foreign missions, he called for enhanced resource allocation to strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic footprint.
The PCS also defended Kenya’s role as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts and revealed plans to introduce a public Sessional Paper on Foreign Policy, aimed at promoting transparency and allowing greater parliamentary involvement in shaping the country’s foreign agenda.
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