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PRESS STATEMENT ON 30TH SEPTEMBER 2013 FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE CONCERNING ALLEGED FORCED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE LATE MBUGUA MWANGI, SON OF AMB.CATHERINE MWANGI.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is gravely concerned about information circulating in the social media and published by the Star Newspaper today regarding alleged forces contributions by our envoys following the unfortunate demise of the son of one of our staff, Amb. Catherine Mwangi.
While we consider unfortunate such sensitization of a tradition that exists in any organization whenever a staff member is bereaved, i wish to set the record right about the purpose and meaning of the Internal Memo that has widely been circulated.
On 26th September 2013, Senior Staff of the Ministry, including the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary,11 Ambassadors, who are also Heads of Departments, and 12 other Heads of Departments, made a decision to visit Amb. Mwangi at her house and condole with her as a colleague. As is our tradition in the Ministry, the 25 of us pledged to support Amb.Mwangi during this time of mourning. All those present at that meeting voluntarily pledged to support the family. The whole group led by our Cabinet Secretary then visited Amb. Mwangi at her house.
On Friday 27th September 2013 my office in an effort to remind the 25 Heads of Departments who had participated in the meeting to honour their pledges did an Internal Memo
that regrettably and erroneously was sent to all Missions and Staff. That Memo has since been officially withdrawn and matters clarified to our envoys and staff. Further, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will respect the wishes of the family of Amb. Mwangi that
all contributions made in this regard be directed to the Kenya Red Cross.We apologize to the family of Amb. Mwangi for any embarrassment that this turn of events may have caused them and reassure them and to the families of all those affected by the terrorist attack, that we shall stand by them during this difficult time of mourning of their loved one.
DR. (ENG) KARANJA KIBICHO, CBS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY