Victory for ambassadorial nominee Mwende Mwinzi in citizenship battle
South Korea ambassador nominee Mwende Mwinzi at the Milimani Law Courts on November 14, 2019, for a ruling regarding the call for her to renounce her US citizenship before official appointment. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Justice Makau explained that Mwende Mwinzi falls within the exception, is protected by the Constitution and is a public officer appointed by the President, not a State officer.
The court ruled, however, that the case she filed was premature because the process of her appointment has not been completed.
At the centre of the case is whether persons born of Kenyan parents abroad should relinquish their foreign nationality in order to be allowed to serve in the government.
A High Court ruled on Thursday that Mwende Mwinzi, the ambassadorial nominee to Seoul, South Korea, cannot be forced to renounce her US citizenship as it was acquired by birth.
In June, the House approved the report of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee approving the appointment of all nominees but with a caveat that Ms Mwinzi renounces her US citizenship in line with the Constitution.
