Report On Consideration Of Mr. Humphrey Wattanga, Nominee For Appointment As High Commissioner To Ottawa, Canada

THENATIONALASSEMBLY

THIRTEENTHPARLIAMENT-FIFTHSESSION-2026 DEPARTMENTALCOMMITTEEONDEFENCE,INTELLIGENCEANDFOREIGN RELATIONS

REPORTON:

APPROVALHEARINGOFMR.HUMPHREYMULONGOWATTANGA,EBS,AS HIGHCOMMISSIONERTOOTTAWA,CANADA

CLERK'SCHAMBERS DIRECTORATEOFDEPARTMENTALCOMMITTEES PARLIAMENTBUILDINGS NAIROBI

THENATIONALASSEMBLY PAPERSLAUD

DATE:

2 6 MAY 2026

TABLED

CLERK-AT THE-TABLE

MAY,2026

ReportoftheDepartmentalCommitteeonDefence,IntelligenceandForeignRelationsontheApprovalhearingofMr. HumphreyMulongoWattanga,EBSasHighCommissionertoOttawa,Canada

TABLEOFCONTENTS

| LISTOFABBREVIATIONSANDACRONYMS | 3 | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | LISTOFANNEXURES | 4 | | CHAIRPERSON'SFOREWORD | 5 | | EXECUTIVESUMMARY | 7 | | 1.0PREFACE | 9 | | 1.1 Introduction | 6 | | 1.2Establishment andMandateoftheCommittee | 9 | | 1.3 Committee Subjects | 9 | | 1.4 Committee Membership | 10 | | 1.5CommitteeSecretariat | 11 | | 2.0BACKGROUND | 12 | | 2.1 The Office of High Commissioner | 12 | | 2.2NotificationoftheNomination | 12 | | 2.3NotificationtotheHouseandReferral totheCommittee | 13 | | 2.4 Notificationto thePublic | 13 | | 2.5NotificationtotheNominee | 14 | | 2.6 Clearance and ComplianceRequirements | 14 | | 2.7Issuesfor Considerationduring theApprovalHearings | 14 | | 2.8MemorandafromMembersofthePublicinrespectoftheNominee | 16 | | 3.0APPROVALHEARINGOFMR.HUMPHREYMULONGOWATTANGAASHIGH COMMISSIONERTOOTTAWA,CANADA. 17 | 3.0APPROVALHEARINGOFMR.HUMPHREYMULONGOWATTANGAASHIGH COMMISSIONERTOOTTAWA,CANADA. 17 | | 3.1 Questions from the General Questionnaire | 17 | | 3.2 General and Mission-Specific Questions to the Nominee | 18 | | 3.3Committee'sObservationsontheSuitabilityoftheNominee | 20 | | 4.0COMMITTEE'SGENERALOBSERVATIONS | 21 | | 5.0COMMITTEERECOMMENDATION | 22 |

LISTOFABBREVIATIONSANDACRONYMS

ANC

AmaniNational Congress

Cap

Chapter (of the Laws ofKenya)

CBS

Chief of theBurning Spear

CRB

CreditReferenceBureau

CUE

CommissionforUniversityEducation

DCI

Directorate of CriminalInvestigations

EACC

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission

H.E.

His Excellency

HELB

Higher EducationLoansBoard

KRA

KenyaRevenueAuthority

MDAs

Ministries, Departments and Agencies

M.P.

MemberofParliament

NIS

National Intelligence Service

ODM

OrangeDemocraticMovement

ODPP

Office oftheDirector of PublicProsecutions

ORPP

Office of theRegistrar ofPoliticalParties

UDA

UnitedDemocraticAlliance

UDM

UnitedDemocraticMovement

UN

United Nations

WDM-K

Wiper Democratic Movement of Kenya

LISTOFANNEXURES

Annexure 1:

Transmittal letter from H.E. the President regarding parliamentary approval of thenomineefor appointmenttotheForeignService

Annexure2:

Messagefrom theHon.SpeakeroftheNationalAssemblytotheHouse regardingnomination of one(1)personfor appointment asAmbassador

Annexure 3:

Advertisementnotifyingthepublicofthe approvalhearingandsubmission ofmemoranda

Annexure4:

Letters from the Clerk of the National Assembly inviting the nominee for the approval hearing

Annexure5:

Lettersfrom the Clerk of theNational Assembly to EACC,KRA,DCI, ODPP,ORPP and HELB requesting information on the nominee

Annexure 6:

Letters of clearance from EACC, KRA, DCI, ODPP, ORPP and HELB

Annexure 7:

Nominee's Clearance Certificates from EACC,KRA,DCI, ORPP,HELB and CRB

Annexure8:

Nominee'scurriculumvitae

Annexure 9:

Minutes of theSittingsofthe Committee

Annexure10:

Committee'sReportAdoptionSchedule

CHAIRPERSON'SFOREWORD

This Report presents the proceedings and findings of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on the approval hearing of Mr. Humphrey MulongoWattanga, EBS,whowasnominatedbyHisExcellency thePresidentfor appointment asHighCommissioner of theRepublic ofKenya to Ottawa,Canada.Thepurposeofthe approval hearingwas to ascertain the suitability of the nominee to discharge the responsibilities of the office to which he had been nominated.

TheCommitteeisestablishedpursuant toArticle124(1)of theConstitution andStandingOrder. 216 of the National Assembly.Standing Order 216 mandatesDepartmental Committees to,among other functions,vet and report on all appointments where the Constitution or any law requires approval by the National Assembly, except those falling under the mandate of the Committee on Appointments.Further,theSecondSchedule to theStanding Orders mandates the Committee to oversee matters relating to foreign relations, diplomatic and consular services, and international relations.

Pursuant to Article 132(2)(e) of the Constitution, Sections 20(2) and 22(2)(a) of the Foreign ServiceAct,Cap185E,andSections3 and 5ofthePublicAppointments (ParliamentaryApproval) Act,Cap7F,HisExcellencythePresidenttransmittedtotheNationalAssemblythenomination of Mr. Humphrey Mulongo Wattanga for appointment as High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya toOttawa,Canada.The Speaker of theNationalAssemblysubsequentlyreferred the nomination to the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations for consideration andreporting to theHousewithin thestatutorytimelines.

Inundertakingthis assignment,theCommitteewasguidedbytheConstitution,theForeignService Act, Cap 185E, the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F, and the National Assembly Standing Orders. The Committee conducted the approval hearing on Thursday, 14th May integrity, leadership record, vision for strengthening Kenya-Canada relations, and overall

TheCommitteefurtherfacilitatedpublicparticipation in accordancewithArticle118 of the Constitution by inviting members of the public to submit memoranda on the nominee's suitability prior to the approval hearing.However, concerns were raised regarding the nominee's requestfor rescheduling of the approval hearing on accountof an ongoinghandover process at theKenya Revenue Authority,which occasioned additional public expenditure arising from the need to undertakeasecondpublicadvertisement.

The Committee sought clearance reports from relevant statutory institutions, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), all of which confirmed thenominee's compliancewithstatutoryandintegrityrequirements.

The Committee noted that the nominee possesses extensive experience in publicfinance management,taxation,investment advisory,and institutional leadership,havingpreviously served asCommissionerGeneralof theKenyaRevenueAuthorityandVice-Chairperson of the CommissiononRevenueAllocation.Thenominee alsodemonstratedanunderstandingof the strategic importance of Kenya-Canada relations, particularly in trade, investment, innovation, education,andtechnologypartnerships.

ReportoftheDepartmentalCommitteeonDefence,IntelligenceandForeignRelationsontheApprovalhearingofMr. HumphreyMulongoWattanga,EBSasHighCommissionertoOttawa,Canada

The Committee wishes to express its appreciation to the Members of the Committee for their diligenceandvaluablecontributionsduringtheapprovalhearingandpreparationofthisReport. TheCommittee alsoacknowledges theOfficeof theSpeaker and theOfficeoftheClerkofthe NationalAssemblyforthe administrative and technicalsupportextended totheCommitteeduring theexercise

Having considered the nominee's academic and professional qualifications, work experience, integrity records, and responses during the approval hearing, the Committee was satisfied that the nominee meets the constitutional and statutory requirements for appointment.Accordingly,and pursuant to Article 132(2)(e) of the Constitution, Sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap. 7F, Section 20(2) of the Foreign Service Act, Cap. 185E, and StandingOrder 216(5)(f),theCommitteerecommendsthattheHouseAPPROVESthe appointment of Mr. Humphrey Mulongo,EBS Wattanga as High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Ottawa,Canada.

SIGNED:.

DATE:...

65

THEHON.NELSONKOECH,CBS,MP CHAIRPERSON,DEPARTMENTALCOMMITTEEONDEFENCE,INTELLIGENCE ANDFOREIGNRELATIONS

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

Article 132(2)(e)of the Constitution mandates thePresident to nominate, and with the approval of the National Assembly appoint, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and diplomatic representatives. Article 124(4)(a) further requires that such appointments be considered by a CommitteeoftherelevantHouse.

Pursuant totheseprovisionsandin accordancewithSections3and5ofthePublicAppointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F, His Excellency the President transmitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly the nomination of Mr. Humphrey Mulongo Wattanga, EBS, for appointment as High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Ottawa, Canada.The Speaker subsequentlyconveyed theMessage to theHouse and referred thenomination totheDepartmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations for vetting and reporting within the statutorytimelines.

In compliancewithArticle118of the Constitution andSection 6(4) of thePublicAppointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F, the Clerk of the National Assembly notified the public of the intended approval hearing and invited members of the public to submit memoranda regarding the suitability of the nominee. Following the nominee's requestfor rescheduling of the hearing to allow completion of an ongoing handover process at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), a second advertisementwasundertakento notify thepublic of therevisedhearing date.Bythe deadline for receipt of memoranda, no submissions contesting the suitability of the nominee had beenreceived.

The Clerk also sought clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), all of which confirmed the nominee's compliance with statutory and integrityrequirements.

The Committee conducted the approval hearing on Thursday, 14"h May 2026 guided by the Constitution,the Foreign Service Act,Cap 185E,the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F, and the National Assembly Standing Orders. During the hearing, the Committee examined the nominee's academic qualifications, professional background, leadership experience, integrity, and vision for strengthening Kenya's diplomatic, trade, investment, and bilateralrelationswithCanada.

Duringthehearing,thenominee outlined hisexperienceinpublicfinancemanagement,investment advisory,andrevenue administration,includinghisservice asCommissioner General oftheKenya Revenue Authority and Vice-Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation. He further highlighted his plans toaddress the tradeimbalance betweenKenya and Canada through promotion of value-added exports, attraction of Canadian investment, and leveraging Kenya's strategicposition under theAfrican Continental Free TradeArea (AfCFTA).

The Committeeneverthelessraised concernsregarding thenominee's requestforreschedulingof the approval hearing on account of an ongoing handover process at KRA, noting that the request occasionedadditionalpublicexpenditureandwasunusualforapresidentialnominee.

Having considered the nominee's academic credentials,professional qualifications,integrity clearance reports,oral submissions,and responses during the approval hearing,the Committee found that the nominee meets the constitutional and statutory requirements for appointment to State Office,including compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

ReportoftheDepartmentalCommitteeonDefence,IntelligenceandForeignRelationsontheApprovalhearingofMr HumphreyMulongoWattanga,EBSasHighCommissionertoOttawa,Canada

Consequently,and pursuant toArticle132(2)(e)ofthe Constitution,Sections 3 and8ofthe Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval)Act, Cap 7F, Section 20(2) of the Foreign Service Act, Cap185E,andStandingOrder216(5)(f)oftheNationalAssembly,theCommitteerecommends that the House APPROVES the appointment of Mr.Humphrey Mulongo Wattanga, EBS, as High Commissioner of theRepublic of Kenya to Ottawa, Canada.

1.0PREFACE

1.1 Introduction

• 1.Pursuant to Article 132(2)(e)of the Constitution as read with sections 20(2) and 22(2) (a) of the Foreign Service Act,Cap 185E,His Excellency the President, through the Head of the PublicService andviathe transmittalletter dated 14"April,2026,transmitted to theSpeaker of theNational Assembly the nameof one (1) person nominated for approval by theHousefor appointment as High Commissioner.
• 2.Article124(4)(a)of the Constitution provides that when a House of Parliament considers any appointmentfor which its approval isrequired under the Constitution or anAct of Parliament, the appointment shall be considered by a Committee of the relevant House.

3. This report details the proceedings of the Committee during the approval hearing of the nomineefor appointment asAmbassador.Thepurposeoftheapprovalhearingwasto ascertain the suitabilityof thenomineetodischarge theresponsibilities of the officeof theHigh Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Ottawa, Canada

1.2EstablishmentandMandateoftheCommittee

• 4.TheDepartmental Committee onDefenceIntelligence and ForeignRelations is one of the DepartmentalCommittees of theNationalAssemblyestablished underStandingOrder216 whose mandates, pursuant to the Standing Order 216 (5) includes, among others, to vet and reportonallappointmentswheretheConstitutionoranyotherlawrequirestheNational Assembly toapprove,except those underStandingOrder204(CommitteeonAppointments).

1.3CommitteeSubjects

• 5.Thesubjectmatterofthe Committeeisstatedin theSecondScheduleoftheNationalAssembly Standing Ordersand includes,among others,foreign relations,diplomatic and consular services,andinternationalrelations.

In executing its mandate,the Committee oversees the following government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs):

• (a)The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs;
• (b) The Ministry of Defence;
• (c) The State Department for East African Community Affairs (EAC); and
• (d) The National Intelligence Service (NIS).

ReportoftheDepartmentalCommitteeonDefence,IntelligenceandForeignRelationsontheApprovalhearingofMr. HumplreyMulongoWattanga,EBSasHighComnissionertoOttawa,Canada

1.4 Committee Membership

6. The Committee was constituted by the House on 27th October 2022 and subsequently reconstituted on 6th March 2025, and comprises the following Members:

Chairperson

Hon. Nelson Koech, CBS, M.P.

Belgut Constituency

UDA Party

Hon.Maj.(Rtd.) SheikhAbdullahi Bashir,CBS,M.P.

Vice-Chairperson Mandera North Constituency UDM Party

Members

Hon.Wanjira Martha Wangari, CBS, M.P. Gilgil Constituency UDA Party

Hon. Joshua Kandie, M.P. Baringo Central Constituency UDA Party

Hon.Odhiambo Millie G.Akoth,CBS,M.P. Suba North Constituency ODM Party

Hon. Kwenya Thuku Zachary, M.P. Kinangop Constituency JubileeParty

Hon. Yusuf Hassan Abdi, CBS, M.P. Kamukunji Constituency Jubilee Party

Hon. Logova Sloya Clement, M.P. Sabatia Constituency UDA Party

Hon. Kanchory Elijah Memusi, M:P. Kajiado Central Constituency ODM Party

Hon.Ikana Fredrick Lusuli, M.P. Shinyalu Constituency ANC Party

Hon. (Dr.) Kasalu Irene Muthoni, MP Kitui County WDM-K

Hon.Mohamed A. Hussein, M.P. Lagdera Constituency ODM Party

Hon. Kirima Moses Nguchine, M.P. Central Imenti Constituency UDA Party

Hon.Anne Muratha,M.P Kiambu County UDA Party

Hon. Luyai Caleb Amisi, M.P. Saboti Constituency ODM Party

1.5 CommitteeSecretariat

• 7.The CommitteeSecretariat comprises the following technical staff:

Mr.Muyodi Emmanuel ClerkAssistantI/HeadofSecretariat

| Mr. Bernard Njeru ClerkAssistantII | Mr. Lenny Muchangi Legal Counsel II | |------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Mr. Martin Sigei Research OfficerIII | Mr.Edwin Machuki Fiscal Analyst II | | Mr.Salat Ali | | | | Mr.Alex Amwata | | Principal Serjeant-at-Arms I | Hansard ReporterII | | Ms. Frida Ngari | Mr.Mark Mbuthia | | MediaRelationsOfficerIII Ms.MaryanGabow PublicCommunicationsOfficerIlI | Audio Recording OfficerIII |

2.0BACKGROUND

2.1TheOfficeofHighCommissioner

• 8.The Office of High Commissioner is an office under the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,accordingtoExecutiveOrderNo.2of2025.
• 9.The duties of the office (Head of a Mission), pursuant to Section 21 of the Foreign Service Act Cap185E,areto:
• (a) actively pursue the foreign policy objectives of the Republic in the host country;
• (b) act as the personal representative of the Head of State in the host country;
• (c)act as an official representative of the Republic at official functions in the host country;
• (d)beresponsibleforthemanagementand administration of theMission and allmembersof the Foreign Service located at the Mission, including the locally engaged staff of the Mission;and
• (e)be accountablefor any expenditure oftheMission and ensure that the budget of the Mission is administered in accordance with thePublicFinanceManagement Act, Cap 412A and all other applicable laws and regulations.
• 10.Onappointment,Article 132(2)(e)of the Constitutionprovides thatthePresidentshall nominateand,withtheapprovaloftheNationalAssembly,appoint andmaydismisshigh commissioners,ambassadors and diplomatic and consular representatives.Section 20 of the Foreign Service Act,Cap 185E,reaffirms these constitutional provisions,designating the Office of a high commissioner, ambassador, diplomatic, or consular representative as a State officeasperArticle260oftheConstitution.

11. Additionally, Section 20(2) of the Act provides that in accordance with Article 132(2)(e) of the Constitution,the President shall nominate and,subject to approval by the National Assembly, appoint high commissioners, ambassadors, and diplomatic or consular representatives.Furthermore,Section20(3)oftheActmandatesthatanominationunder subsection(2) shouldensure afairbalancebetween career diplomats andother appointees,as well as represent the gender,regional,and other diversities of the Kenyan populace. Any individual nominated for appointment under subsection (2) must be a Kenyan citizen and possessreputable character and standing.

2.2NotificationoftheNomination

12. Pursuant to Article 132(2)(e) of the Constitution as read with Sections 20(2) and 22(2)(e) of theForeignServiceActCap185E,andSections3and5of thePublicAppointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F, His Excellency the President, through the Head of the PublicService,transmittedtotheSpeakeroftheNationalAssemblyvidethetransmittal letter dated14th April,2026,referenced EOP/CAB.26/4AVOL.VIII/(8) (Annexure 1),the name and curriculumvitae togetherwith other testimonials of Mr.HumphreyMulongoWattanga nominatedfor appointment asHigh Commissioner of theRepublicofKenyatoOttawa, Canada.

2.3NotificationtotheHouseandReferraltotheCommittee

13. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42(2) of the National Assembly, the Speaker, through a Communication dated Thursday, 16th April 2026, informed Members of the nominated for appointment as High Commissioner Ottawa, Canada. 2. 14.Pursuant to Section 8(1) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F and Standing Order 216(5)(f) as read with the Second Schedule of the National Assembly StandingOrders,thenameandcurriculumvitaeandother testimonialsof Mr.Humphrey Ottawa, Canada were referred to the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations for approval hearing as required under Article 124(4)(a) of the Constitution, and reporting to theHousewithin twenty-eight(28) days. 3. 15.The nomineewrote to the Speaker of theNational Assembly seekinga rescheduling of the approval hearing, citing the ongoing handover process in his current office as the reason for the request. Following the approval of the request, the hearing was rescheduled for Thursday,14th May 2026,thereby allowing the nominee sufficient time to conclude the ongoinghandoverprocess. 4. 16.The nominee wrote to theHon.Speaker of theNational Assemblyseeking a rescheduling of the approval hearing, citing the ongoing handover process in his current office. Following consideration and approval ofthe request, the hearing was rescheduled to Thursday,14th May 2026, thereby granting the nominee adequate time to finalize the handover process. 5. 17.The nominee wrote to theSpeaker of theNational Assemblyseeking thereschedulingof the approval hearing, citing the ongoing handover process in his current office as the reason for the request. The request was considered by the Committee and subsequently by the National Assembly, which, through a resolution passed on 23rd April 2026, approved the extension of the vetting period and rescheduled the hearing to Thursday, 14th May 2026.

2.4NotificationtothePublic

• 15.Article118of the Constitutionprovides thatParliament shallfacilitatepublicparticipation andinvolvement in thelegislativebusiness andotherbusiness ofParliament and its Committees.Further, Section 6(4)ofthePublic Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F provides that the Clerk shall notify the public of the time and place for holding approvalhearingsatleastsevendayspriortothehearings.
• 16.Further, Section 6(9)of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F providesthatanypersonmay,priortotheapprovalhearingsandbywrittenstatement on oath,providetheClerkwithevidencecontestingthesuitabilityofacandidatetoholdtheoffice towhichthecandidatehasbeennominated
• 17.Pursuant toArticle118of the Constitution as readwithSection 6(9)of PublicAppointments (Parliamentary Approval)Act, Cap 7F, the Clerk of the National Assembly placed an advertisement in theprint media on17thApril2026(Annexure3) inviting thepublic tosubmit memoranda by way of written statement on oath (affidavit) on the suitability or otherwise of

18. Following the request by the nominee to reschedule the approval hearing, the Clerk of the NationalAssemblyplaced thesecond advertisementintheprintmediaon6thMay2026

• (Annexure4)invitingthepublictosubmitmemorandabywayofwrittenstatement onoath (affidavit)onthesuitabilityor otherwiseof thenomineeonorbefore13tMay2026at5.00 pm.

19. Further, through the same advertisement and pursuant to Article 118 of the Constitution, Order45(3)oftheNationalAssembly,theClerkoftheNationalAssemblynotifiedthegeneral public that the approval hearing of the nominee would be conducted on Thursday 14t May 2026 at the Bunge Tower, Room 18/19, 3rd Floor, Parliament Buildings at 10.00 am.

2.5NotificationtotheNominee

• 20.TheClerkof theNationalAssemblyinvited thenominee throughletter dated6thMay 2026 for the approval hearing in accordance with Section 6(3) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F.

2.6 Clearance and Compliance Requirements

21. On Friday, 17th April 2026, the Clerk of the National Assembly wrote to the EACC, KRA, DCI, HELB, ORPP and ODPP requesting for reports with respect to the nominee on ethics and integrity, tax compliance, criminal records, higher education loans repayments and political party affiliations. 22. The EACC, through a letter Ref. No.EACC.7/10/5 VOL.XXXVI (121) dated 22"d April 2026, confirmed that it had not undertaken any investigation nor has it recommended prosecution of the nominee. 23. The KRA, through a letter Ref. No. KRA/5/1002/5(13895), dated 24th April, 2026, confirmed that the nominee was tax compliant. 24. The DCI, through a letter Ref. No.PCC-WWS7DD4VM dated 13th May 2026, provided forensic fingerprint analysis of the nominee had been conducted in the criminal database and found that he had no previous criminal record. 25. The HELB, through a letter Ref. No.HELB/RR/112009/V/504 dated 22nd April 2026, indicated that the nominee was compliant. 6. 26.TheORPP,throughaletterRef.No.ORPP/ORG/34/VOL.X(13)dated20thApril2026 7. 27.The ODPP, through a letter Ref.No.ODPP/CONF/5/50A dated 24th April2026 confirmed that therewere no active criminal proceedings or previous charges recorded against the nominee.

2.7 Issues for Consideration during the Approval Hearings

• 28.In conducting the approval hearings,the Committeewasguided bySection 6(7) and(8)ofthe Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F which provides that:
• (7)Anapprovalhearingshallfocusonacandidate'sacademiccredentials,professional trainingandexperience,personalintegrityandbackground.
• 8 Thecriteria specifiedintheScheduleshall be usedbya Committeeduring anapproval hearingforthepurposesofvettingacandidate.

14 ReportoftheDepartmentalCommitteeonDefence,IntelligenceandForeignRelationsontheApprovalhearingofMr. HumphreyMulongoWattanga,EBSasHighCommissionertoOttawa,Canada

• 29.Additionally,Section7of the Actprovides that the issues for considerationby the relevant HouseofParliamentinrelation toanynominationshallbe:
• (a)theprocedureusedtoarriveatthenominee;
• (b)anyconstitutionalorstatutoryrequirementsrelatingtotheofficeinquestion;and thesuitabilityofthenomineefortheappointmentproposedhavingregardtowhether thenominee'sabilities,experienceandqualitiesmeettheneedsofthebodytowhich nominationisbeingmade

(a)ProcedureforNomination

30. Article 132 (2)(e) of the Constitution confers upon the President the power to nominate and, with the approval of the National Assembly, appoint high commissioners, ambassadors and diplomatic and consular representatives. 2. 31.Section 5(1) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval)Act, Cap 7F,further requires the appointing authority, upon nominating a person for appointment, to notify the relevantHouseofParliament. 3. 32.In this regard,pursuant toArticle 132(2)(e) of the Constitution and Section 5(1) of thePublic Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F, the President notified the National Assembly of the nomination of Mr.HumphreyMulongoWattanga for appointment asHigh Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Ottawa, Canada.

(b)ConstitutionalandStatutoryRequirements

33. In addition, the Constitution and various statutes guide the appointment of persons to public office.In determining the suitability of the nominees, the Committee was guided by the provisionsonleadership and integrity asoutlinedin ChapterSixof the Constitution.Article 73(2) of the Constitution provides that the guiding principles of leadership and integrity include: 2. (a)selection on the basis of personal integrity,competence and suitability, or election in free and fair elections; 3. (b) objectivity and impartiality in decision making, and in ensuring that decisions are not influenced by nepotism, favouritism, other improper motives or corrupt practices; 4. (c)selfless servicebased solely on the public interest, demonstrated by—

• i. honestyin the execution ofpublic duties;and
• ii. the declaration of anypersonal interest thatmayconflictwith public duties;

7. (d) accountability to the public for decisions and actions; and 8. (e) disciplineandcommitmentinservicetothepeople. 9. 34.Furthermore,Article 75 of the Constitution requires a State Officer,whether inpublic or privatelifetobehavein a manner thatavoidsconflictbetweenpersonalinterest andpublic officialduties.Itfurther prohibitsaState Officer whohasbeendismissed or otherwise removedfrom officefromholding anyotherStateOffice. 10. 35.Regarding the activities of State Officers,Article 77of the Constitutionprohibits a full-time StateOfficerfrom participatingin anyothergainful employment or holding officein a political party. 11. 36.Further,Article 78 of the Constitution disqualifiespersons who are not Kenyan citizens from appointment as State Officers. Equally, a State Officer is barred from holding dual citizenship. 12. 37.In addition, the Committee considered Section 10 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, Cap 185Cwhichprovidesthat:

• AStateofficershall,tothebestoftheirability--
• (a)carryoutthedutiesoftheofficeefficientlyandhonestly;
• (b)carryoutthedutiesinatransparentandaccountablemanner;
• (c)keepaccuraterecordsanddocumentsrelatingtothefunctionsoftheoffice;and
• (d)reporttruthfullyonallmattersoftheorganizationwhichtheyrepresent.
• 38.Further,Section20 oftheForeignServiceAct,Cap185Eprovides that:
• (1)TheOfficeofahighcommissioner,ambassador,diplomaticorconsularrepresentative shallbeaStateofficeforpurposesofArticle260oftheConstitution.
• (2)PursuanttoArticle132(2)(e)of theConstitution,thePresident shallnominateand, subjecttotheapprovaloftheNationalAssembly,appointhighcommissioners, ambassadorsanddiplomaticorconsularrepresentatives.
• (3)Anominationundersubsection(2)shallreflect(a)afairbalancebetweencareerdiplomatsandotherappointees;and (b)thegender,regional andotherdiversitiesofthepeopleofKenya.
• (a)acitizenofKenya;and
• (b)of a reputable character and standing.
• (c)Suitabilityofthenomineesfortheproposed appointmentshavingregardtowhetherthe nominees'abilities,experienceandqualitiesmeettheneedsofthebodytowhichthe nominationisbeingmade
• 39.Thenominee's suitabilitytohold the office of High Commissionerof theRepublicofKenya to Ottawa,Canadawas assessed through a scrutiny of his academic credentials,professional training and experience, personal integrity, background, as well as his performance during the approval hearings conducted on Thursday,14th May 2026.

2.8MemorandafromMembersofthePublicinrespectoftheNominee

40. The Clerk of the National Assembly placed an advertisement in the print media on 6th May 2026(Annexure4)invitingthepublictosubmitmemorandabywayofwrittenstatementson oath(affidavit) on the suitability or otherwise of the nomineein conformitywith Section6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F. 2. 41.In this regard,by 13th May 2026 at 5.00 pm, the Committee had not received any submissions either bywritten statement onoath(affidavit) orvia emailfrommembers of the publicregardingthenomination of Mr.HumphreyMulongoWattangafor appointment as High Commissioner Ottawa,Canada.

COMMISSIONERTOOTTAWA,CANADA.

42. Mr. Humphrey Wattanga appeared before the Committee on Thursday 14th May 2026, at 10.00amandwasvettedunderoathpursuanttoArticle132(2)(e)oftheConstitution,the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F, the Foreign Service Act, Cap 185E and theNational AssemblyStandingOrders.The Committee noted as follows:

3.1 Questions from the General Questionnaire

Citizenship,DateandPlaceofBirth

43. The nominee is a Kenyan citizen born on 25 June 1971 in Starehe, Nairobi County,within the Republic of Kenya.He confirmed that he is a citizen by birth and does not hold dual citizenship.

AcademicandProfessionalQualifications

44. Thenomineeholds a Master of BusinessAdministration(MBA)fromTheWhartonSchool, University of Pennsylvania, awarded in May 2ooo.He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemical Sciences (cum laude) from Harvard University,awarded in June 1996.

EmploymentRecordandWorkExperience

45. ThenomineemostrecentlyservedasCommissionerGeneralof theKenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from August 2023 to April 2026. Prior to this appointment, he served as Managing Director of Meghraj Capital Ltd., Vice-Chairperson and Commissioner at the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA),and Senior Partner at AFCORPInvestments in SouthAfrica.He alsoserves as Director of NordicImpact Fund in Denmark and has been a member of theInvestment CommitteeofKenya ClimateVenturessince2019.

Honoursandawards

• 46.Thenomineehasreceivedseveral honours and awardsinrecognition of academicexcellence andpublicservice.Theseinclude theElder of theBurningSpear(EBS)award conferred in 2025,theNelsonMandelaHopeWorldwideScholarship,theKaiserFamilyFoundation Scholarship, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Research Award, the Harvard Faculty Scholarship, and the Dr. Ouko Award for Academic Excellence.

ProfessionalAssociationandMemberships

47. The nominee is a Platinum Member of theKenya BankersAssociation (KBA)Institute.He is also a member of several social and professional clubs, including the Capital Club,Karen Club,andRoyalNairobi Golf Club.

PublishedWritings

48. Thenominee'spublishedarticlesinclude"KRA'sAmbitiousDigitalTransformationWill Boost Efficiency& Trust"publishedin The Standard on 5thSeptember 2025and "Reimagining Tax Administration in the Digital Age" published in The Star on 15th September 2025. He also contributed to a Brookings Institution publication titled "Perspectives onImpactBonds:Working around legal barriers toimpactbonds inKenya to facilitate non-stateinvestment andresults-basedfinancing ofnon-state ECDproviders? publishedinDecember2015.

PublicOffice,PoliticalActivitiesandAffiliations

49. The nominee has held several public offices, including serving as Commissioner General of theKenyaRevenueAuthorityandasVice-ChairpersonandCommissioner of the Commission onRevenueAllocation.He stated that hehas notheld any office in a political party, nor participated in political activities.

IncomeandNetWorth

• 50.The nominee declared an estimated net worth of approximatelyKES500 million.

PotentialConflictofInterest

51. The nominee declared that he does not have any persons, litigation, financial arrangement, matter orissuethatwouldpresent apotentialconflictofinterestshouldhe assumetheposition of High Commissioner.The nominee stated that,should a conflict ofinterest arise during the discharge ofhisduties,hewould declaretheinterest inwritingtothe appointing authorityin accordancewiththelaw.

Pro-Bono,CharityWorkorDonationtoCharity

52. Thenomineestated that hehas continuously engaged in charitable and communitysupport initiatives, including payment of school fees for needy students, settlement of hospital bills, support to bereaved families, sponsorship of community social and sporting events, and participation in environmental conservation activities such as tree planting.

Integrity

53. Thenomineestated thathehasneitherbeen chargedin acourt oflawnor adverselymentioned in any investigatory report of Parliament or any Commission of Inquiry in the last three years. Thenominee has neverbeendismissed or otherwiseremovedfrom officefor contravention oftheprovisionsofArticle75oftheConstitution.

3.2 General and Mission-Specific Questions to the Nominee

• 54.To assess the nominee's overall suitabilityfor theposition,the Committeeposed questions to the nominee on his suitability for appointment as the High Commissioner of the Republic ofKenya toOttawa,Canada.Thenomineeresponded asfollows:

Onrequestforextensionof theapprovalhearing

55. Thenomineeexplainedthathisrequestforreschedulingof theapprovalhearingwas necessitated by the need to conclude an orderlyhandover process at theKenya Revenue Authority (KRA), where he had been serving as Commissioner General. He stated that the transitioninvolvedcriticalinstitutional responsibilities and the transfer of ongoingreforms and administrative functions to the Acting Commissioner General. The nominee acknowledged concerns raised by Members regarding the unprecedented nature of the request and the additional public expenditure occasioned by the second advertisement but maintained that the structured handover was necessary to ensure continuity and stability within the institution.

Onhismultidisciplinaryeducational andprofessionalbackground

56. The nominee highlighted his multidisciplinary academic and professional background, noting thatheholdsBachelorofArtsinBiochemicalSciencesfromHarvardUniversityandanMBA from theWharton School,University of Pennsylvania.He further outlined his extensive experience in medical research, corporate finance, impact investment, public finance

management,andrevenue administration,includingservice atthe Commission onRevenue Allocation andtheKenyaRevenueAuthority.

Shorttenureinpreviousinstitutions

57. Thenomineeexplainedthatsometransitionswereoccasionedbyeducationaladvancement opportunitiesandmutual agreementswith employers,while othersresultedfrom movement intopublic serviceroles.Hestated thathis career trajectoryreflectedprogression intomore demandingleadershipresponsibilities rather thaninstability or inability tosustain long-term institutionalcommitments.

OnperformanceandreformsattheKenyaRevenueAuthority(KRA)

58. The nominee stated that during his tenure as Commissioner General,KRA recorded significant growth in revenue collection despite difficult economic conditions andglobal geopolitical challenges. He informed the Committee that revenue collection grew from approximatelyKES2.166trillion in theFinancialYear2022/2023to approximatelyKES 2.572trillionintheFinancialYear2024/2025.Therevenuetargetforthe2025/26fiscalyear is set at 2.97 trillion KES, with projections indicating collections could surpass 2.8 trillion KES, demonstrating sustained positive momentum. 59. He further highlighted institutional reforms undertaken during his tenure, including digital transformation initiatives,expansion of data analytics capabilities,introduction of pre-filled taxreturns,and technology-driven compliance systems such asWhatsApptaxfilingservices. 3. 60.1 Mr.Watanga acknowledged the challenges of expanding the tax basebut stressed the importance of broadeningparticipationtoreduce theburdenon existing taxpayers

OnconcernsregardinghisdeparturefromKRA

• 61.The nominee explained that the commencement ofterminal leaveprior to expiry of contract wasprovidedfor under the terms of his employment contract andwas thereforeprocedural andlawful.Hefurtherclarifiedthathisdeparturedidnotinterruptinstitutionaloperations because aformal handoverprocesshadbeenundertaken.

OntheNominee'slackofformaldiplomaticexperience

62. The nominee stated that his extensive engagement in corporate finance,international consultancy,bilateralnegotiations,publicfinancemanagement,and cross-borderinvestment communication,consensus building,and management of international partnerships.He undertook to rapidly acquire additional diplomatic andprotocol skills necessaryfor effective discharge of the responsibilities of High Commissioner.

OnthecurrenttradeimbalancebetweenKenyaandCanada

63. Thenomineeinformed theCommittee that thereexists asignificant tradeimbalancebetween Kenya and Canada,with Canada exporting substantially more goods toKenya thanKenya exports to Canada.He stated that his prioritywould be topromotevalue addition inKenyan exports,particularlyinsectorssuch asmacadamia,avocadooil,tea,coffee,andhorticulture products. He further proposed leveraging Kenya's strategic geographical position and the AfricanContinentalFreeTradeArea(AfCFTA)framework topositionKenya as agateway forCanadianinvestmentintoEastAfricaand thewiderAfricanmarket.

OntheopportunitiesforcooperationbetweenKenya andCanada

64. ThenomineeidentifiedseveralpotentialareasofcooperationbetweenKenya and Canada, including technology, healthcare, innovation, climate-smart investments, higher education, skills development, and digital economy partnerships. He emphasized the need to create opportunities for Kenyan youth through educational exchange programmes, vocational training partnerships, and participation in Canada's technology and innovation ecosystem. He further noted that Canada's advanced expertise in healthcare, precision medicine, and genomics presented opportunities for collaboration with Kenya's growing scientific and medicalsectors.

On hiscommitment to thediplomaticposting to Ottawa,Canada

65. The nominee stated that he considered the appointment an honour and a major responsibility entrusted to him by His Excellency the President.He emphasized that Canada,as a G7 Kenya in trade, education, investment, technology, and international cooperation. He assured the Committee of his commitment to represent Kenya diligently and effectively while advancingthecountry's economic and diplomaticinterests.

3.3Committee's Observations ontheSuitabilityof theNominee

66. The Committee, having reviewed the nominee's completed questionnaire, curriculum vitae andoralsubmission,madethefollowingobservationsregarding hissuitabilityfor appointment as High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Ottawa, Canada:

• (1) THAT, in accordance with Article 78(1) and (2) ofthe Constitution, the nominee is eligible for appointment toState Office since heis a Kenyan citizen anddoesnotholddual citizenship.
• (2) THAT, the nominee meets the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution on leadership and integrity having obtained clearances from EACC, KRA, DCI, ODPP, ORPP and HELB.

4. (3)THAT,the nomineehas not been charged in a court oflaw.

• (4) THAT, the nominee does not hold office in any political party, a requirement under Article 77(2) of the Constitution and the Schedule of the Public Appointment (Parliamentary Approval)Cap7F.
• (5) THAT, the nominee has never been dismissed from office under Article 75 of the Constitution for contravention of the provisions of Articles 75(1),Article 76,Article 77 andArticle78(2)oftheConstitution.

4.0COMMITTEE'SGENERALOBSERVATIONS

67. The Committee, having considered the nominee's academic credentials and professional qualifications, work and professional experience, personal integrity, as well as his performanceduringtheapprovalhearing,madethefollowinggeneralobservations: 2. 1)The nominee is a Kenyan citizen and does not hold dual citizenship in conformity with Article78of theConstitution.

• 2) The nominee committed not to participate in any other gainful employment while serving as aState Officer as requiredbyArticle 77(1) of the Constitution.

4. 3)In accordancewithArticle77(2)of theConstitution and theSchedule of thePublic Appointment (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F, the nominee does not hold office in anypolitical party. 5. 4)ThenomineeindicatedcompliancewithArticles 75 and 76of theConstitution on the conduct and financialprobity of State Officers.He indicated the nonexistence of a potentialconflictofinterest andcommitted todeclare anyshould it arise. 6. 5) Bythesetdeadlineofreceiptofmemorandafrommembersofthepublic,theCommittee did not receive any submissions either by written statement on oath (affidavit) or via email from members of the public regarding the nomination of Mr. Humphrey Wattanga for appointment asHigh Commissioner·toOttawa,Canada. 7. 6 Thenomineepresented his academic andprofessional credentials,made oral submissions during the approval hearing, demonstrating his suitability for appointment in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(7) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act,Cap7F. 8. The nominee possesses strong academic credentials,having studied at internationally recognizedinstitutionsincludingHarvard Universityand theWhartonSchool,University of Pennsylvania,and demonstrated extensive experience in public finance management, corporatefinance,investmentadvisory,andrevenueadministration. 9. The nominee demonstrated substantialexperience in public administration and institutionalleadership throughhisservice attheCommissiononRevenueAllocation (CRA)andasCommissionerGeneraloftheKenyaRevenueAuthority(KRA),wherehe oversawsignificantrevenuegrowthandimplementationofvariousdigitalreforms. 10. 9)TheCommitteenoted theexplanation advanced bythenomineein support of therequest to reschedule the approval hearing, on account of an ongoing handover process at the Kenya Revenue Authority,to be unsatisfactory. The Committee further noted that the requestwasunusualforapresidentialnominee.

• 10) The nominee would require structured orientation and adequate support in diplomatic practice,foreign policyimplementation,and protocol affairs in order to effectively discharge the responsibilities of the office of High Commissioner.

5.0COMMITTEERECOMMENDATION

68. Having conducted the approval hearing pursuant to Article 132(2)(e) of the Constitution; Sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap 7F; Section 20 (2) of the Foreign Service Act, Cap 185E and Standing Order 216(5)(f) of the National Assembly, the Committee recommends that the House APPROVES the appointment of Mr. Humphrey Mulongo Wattanga as High Commissioner to Ottawa, Canada.

SIGNED:

..DATE: .......

THEHON.NELSONKOECH,CBS,MP CHAIRPERSON,DEPARTMENTALCOMMITTEEONDEFENCE,INTELLIGENCE ANDFOREIGNRELATIONS

REPUBLIC OFKENYA

THENATIONALASSEMBLY I3THPARLIAMENT-FIFTHSESSION-2026 DIRECTORATEOFDEPARTMENTALCOMMITTEES

REPORTADOPTIONLIST

REPORTONAPPROVALHEARINGOFMR.HUMPHREYMULONGO WATTANGA,EBS,ASHIGHCOMMISSIONERTOOTTAWA,CANADA

We, Members of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations,have pursuant to Standing Order I99,adopted this Report and affix our signatures to affirm our approval and confirm its accuracy, validity and authenticity today, Tuesday26thMay2026.

| | NAME | SIGNATURE | |----|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | 1. | The Hon.Koech Nelson, M.P.(Chairperson) | | | 2. | The Hon.Maj.(Rtd.) Sheikh Abdullahi Bashir, M.P.(Vice Chairperson) | | | 3. | The Hon.Yusuf Hassan Abdi,EGH,M.P | | | 4. | The Hon.Wanjira Martha Wangari,EGH,M.P | re | | 5. | The Hon. Odhiambo Millie Grace Akoth, MP | | | 6. | The Hon.Kanchory Elijah Memusi, MP | | | 7. | The Hon. (Dr.) Kasalu Irene Muthoni, M.P | | | 8. | The Hon. Kirima Moses Nguchine, M.P | | | 9. | The Hon. Kandie Joshua Chepyegon, M.P | | | 10 | The Hon. Kwenya Thuku Zachary, M.P | | | 11 | The Hon. Luyai Caleb Amisi, M.P | | | [2 | The Hon.Anne Muratha,M.P | mowalhal. | | 13 | The Hon. Logova Sloya Clement, M.P | | | 14 | The Hon. Ikana Fredrick Lusuli, M.P | | | 15 | TheHon.MohamedAbdikadirHussein,M.P | |