By Samuel Ouma
Kenya has nominated Ambassador Monica Juma for the post of Secretary-General to the commonwealth.
In a statement released on Monday, August 30, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Amb. Juma is a strong consensus candidate who will deliver an effective Secretariat driven by member state priorities; bolster unity amongst the Commonwealth family, and enhance innovative partnership that optimizes the impact of our organization.
According to Kenyatta, she has an indisputable track record of strategic leadership, management, representation, and knowledge of government, regional and multinational, and multilateral relations, international development, security, and humanitarian issues.
Kenyatta rallied support for the Defence Cabinet Secretary, asking the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit (CHOGM) to consider her nomination.
“Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence, who formerly served in the same capacity in the Foreign Affairs docket. Also as Principal Secretary she served across the security departments of government; namely Defence, Interior and Coordination of National Government, and Foreign Affairs,” said Kenyatta adding that Juma has exemplarily Served as one of Kenya’s top diplomats.
Ambassador Juma will be the seventh Secretary-General to Commonwealth should the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit consider her nomination.
The incumbent Patricia Scotland will not be added another term following the complaints on how she has been running the office. She was elected in 2016 and recently finished her first term. Even though he is legible to run for the second term, her request was rejected over the complaints.
