The government of Kenya has formally requested the East African Community (EAC) for a waiver to accelerate the withdrawal process of Secretary General Peter Mathuki from the Arusha-based secretariat.
President William Ruto’s recent appointment of Mathuki as Kenya’s Ambassador to Russia prompted the need to expedite his departure from the EAC, cutting short his tenure at the organization.
Citing Regulation 118 of the East African Community (EAC) Staff Rules and Regulations, 2013, which outlines termination provisions for EAC staff, including the Secretary-General, Kenya acknowledges the standard six-month notice period required for withdrawing executive staff members.
In a letter addressed to the chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Deng Alor Kuol, dated March 15, 2024, Kenya formally requested a waiver of the six-month notice period.
“In this regard, Dr. Mathuki’s withdrawal will only be effective upon the expiry of six (6) months notice period,” said Kenya in a letter to the chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Deng Alor Kuol, on March 15, 2024.
“However, the Republic of Kenya is requesting a waiver of the six-month notice period from the Council to have the nominated nominee to the post of Secretary General, Ms Caroline Mwende Mueke, assume office from the date of appointment by the Summit,” the letter, seen by The Standard News Uganda, reads in part.
The waiver would allow for the immediate assumption of office by the nominated replacement, Ms. Caroline Mwende Mueke, upon her appointment by the Summit.
The decision to withdraw Mathuki from his role came after regional lawmakers raised concerns about alleged mismanagement of EAC resources and involvement in nepotism, allegations previously refuted by Mathuki himself.
According to Regulation 118(1)(b), the termination of the Secretary General’s appointment must be recommended by the Council to the Summit, underscoring the need for collective decision-making and transparency in the process.
President William Ruto has nominated Ms Caroline Mwende Mueke as Mathuki’s replacement, with her appointment pending approval by the Heads of Summit.
Given Kenya’s current rotation of the Secretary-General position, Mathuki’s withdrawal and Mueke’s appointment are expected to facilitate a seamless transition, allowing Mueke to serve the remainder of Mathuki’s two-year term until April 25, 2026.
Kenya has called upon Hon. Deng to instruct the Secretariat to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council to consider the withdrawal notice.
Additionally, they have requested the submission of a request to the Chair of the Summit for an extraordinary meeting to deliberate on both the withdrawal and the appointment of the new Secretary General nominee.
