Defense Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma has been nominated for the commonwealth post as the 7th Secretary-General with President Uhuru Kenyatta drumming up support for the CS ahead of the scheduled appointment in Kigali, Rwanda.
The President said that CS Juma will be a strong consensus candidate, who will deliver an effective Secretariat driven by member state priorities.
“She will help bolster unity amongst the Commonwealth family, and also enhance innovative partnership that optimises the impact of our organisation,” said President Kenyatta.
The President said Juma has an “indisputable track record” on strategic leadership, management, representation and knowledge of government, both regional and international.
“I have no doubt that the CS will be a strong consensus candidate, who will deliver an effective secretariat driven by member State priorities.”
She will help bolster unity amongst the commonwealth family and also enhance innovative partnership,” he added.
The President also lobbied for support from the Commonwealth fraternity.
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The appointment of the 7th Secretary General will be made at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali Rwanda.
Commonwealth is an association bringing together 54 nations and states who share a common heritage and tradition.
And the Secretary-General is responsible, for among other duties, promoting and protecting Commonwealth’s values, representing publicly and managing the Secretariat.
The president said Kenya believes that the Commonwealth remains a primary actor for responding to the current challenges facing its member states and for building a common future.
“The success of our organisation lies in its ability to effectively address the needs of the member states, shape the collective agenda and implement its decisions for the realisation of our common aspirations,” he said.
“All these require steadfast leadership at the Secretariat to deliver a dynamic and influential Commonwealth.”
British-Dominican diplomat Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC is the 6th and current Seceretary General to the Commonwealth nations.
She was born in Dominica and was their candidate for the post at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta in 2015.
Patricia is the 2nd Secretary-General from the Caribbean and the 1st woman to hold the post.
Since 1993 CHOGM has been decided that the Secretary-General is elected by assembled heads of government and other ministerial representatives at every other CHOGM.
The current head of the Commonwealth is Queen Elizabeth II of England.
