Kenya surprises everyone as the EAC leader that never was Reversal on the nomination of Mwende Mueke

Just two days before Caroline Mwende Mueke was supposed to be sworn in as the secretary-general of the East African Community (EAC), Kenya replaced her in a move that might be indicative of political backlash.

Veronica Mueni Nduva, the future secretary-general of the regional group, will instead be introduced by Nairobi on Monday in advance of the EAC Council of Ministers’ emergency meeting on Tuesday, April 16.

Machakos County native Ms. Nduva is the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service’s Department of Performance and Delivery Management. Although Mueke was born in Nairobi, her parents are from Kitui County; she was nominated in March.

Nairobi had to modify the name because of the politics surrounding party affiliation and ancestry that have emerged over the last ten days, according to sources.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for EAC Affairs Peninah Malonza did not provide an explanation for President William Ruto’s choice to designate a different candidate in a letter dated April 15, 2024, which was addressed to Deng Alor Kuol, the current chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and minister for EAC affairs in South Sudan.

The action was taken the day before this Thursday’s summit and the Council’s deliberations over Dr. Peter Mathuki’s replacement as the departing EAC Secretary General.

“We are writing to inform you that the President of Kenya has amended the nomination of Ms. Mwende for the position of EAC Secretary General,” stated Ms. Malonza, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of EAC, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development. “This is in response to our letter dated March 15th, informing you of a presidential action nominating Ms. Mwende for appointment as the new Secretary General by the Summit in accordance with the EAC Treaty.”