Editor's Review

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) joint secretary Martin Kimani was on Thursday in a tight spot after it emerged that he had listed President Uhuru Kenyatta as part of his referees.

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) joint secretary Martin Kimani was on Thursday in a tight spot after it emerged that he had listed President Uhuru Kenyatta as part of his referees.

Appearing before Members of Parliament for a vetting for the position of Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York, Kimani was accused of intimidating the lawmakers.

According to a section of legislators, the decision to include President Kenyatta on his CV was meant to undermine their authority.

“Why did you choose to list President Uhuru as your reference or are you trying to intimidate us?" Mandera North MP Abdullah Bashir.


Responding to the MPs, Kimani apologized and vowed to amend the referees section to include a person who can be easily reached by Parliament for a comment on his character and other important information needed.

“I thought they (referees) are people who know my character and in particular to this assignment. I commit to provide another name,” Kimani said as quoted by The Star.

A couple of weeks ago, Ambassador Kimani alongside other individuals were nominated for plum jobs in Kenyan embassies and High commissions across the world.

Other familiar names in the list of nominees include former IEBC vice chair Connie Nkatha and commissioners; Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat