Peter Mathuki Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Dr.
Peter Mutuku Mathuki
Office:Ambassador of Kenya to Russia
Term Start:May 2024
Appointer:William Ruto
Office2:6th Secretary General of the
East African Community
Term Start2:25 April 2021
Term End2:7 June 2024
Predecessor2:Libérat Mfumukeko
Successor2:Veronica Nduva
Office3:Member of the East African Legislative Assembly
Term Start3:12 June 2012
Term End3:12 June 2017
Birthname:Peter Mutuku Mathuki
Birth Place:Kenya
Nationality:Kenyan
Residence:Arusha, Tanzania
Alma Mater:MBA, Ph.D University of Nairobi
Profession:Diplomat
Spouse:Teresia Mutuku
Children:3

Peter Mutuku Mathuki (born 20 February 1969) is a Kenyan diplomat, private sector development expert, and former Secretary-General of the East African Community who currently holds the position as Ambassador of Kenya to Russia. He previously served as the 6th Secretary-General of the EAC from 27 February 2021 to June 7 2024, an MP in the East African Legislative Assembly between 2012 and 2017, and the CEO of the East African Business Council from 2018 to 2021.[1] [2] [3]

Background and education

Mathuki holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Management and Regional Integration from the University of Nairobi.[4] [5]

Career

Dr. Mathuki was the Director in charge of International Labour Standards at the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions between 2004 and 2008. He worked at the European Union programs for Africa based in Asmara, Eritrea from 2010 to 2012.

EAC

Between 2012 and 2017, Dr. Mathuki served as the Member of Parliament of the East African Legislative Assembly where he chaired the EALA Committee responsible for good governance and served on the Committee of Trade and Investment.

Following his term in Parliament, he served as the executive director of the East African Business Council between 2018 and 2021. Here he advocated the voice of the private sector in East African Community decision-making processes and advocating for a conducive business environment for increased trade and investment in the bloc.[6]

Dr. Mathuki was recommended by Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta for the position of Secretary-General of the East African Community, following the tenure of former EAC Secretary-General Libérat Mfumukeko. Dr. Mathuki was appointed to the position by the East African Community Heads of State on 27 February 2021. He assumed office on 25 April 2021, with his term set to end in 2026.

As Secretary-General, Dr. Mathuki played a pivotal role in overseeing the coming into effect of the African Continental Free Trade Area and championed the formation of the African Business Council to reposition the EAC bloc to reap the benefits availed by the continental market.[7] [8] Under his stewardship, the EAC saw the accession of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia to the community, expanding the population of the EAC from 184 million to 340 million. He was also instrumental in the creation of several regional platforms, which were critical in the negotiation of the EAC Common Market Protocol such as the East African Employers Association and the East African Trade Union Confederation. He also oversaw the deployment of East African Regional Forces to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fight the March 23 Rebel Group, before their exit from the country in December of 2023 following DRC President Félix Tshisekedi's inaction in renewing the contract.[9]

Embezzlement

In March of 2024, an impeachment campaign was started in the EALA for the impeachment of Dr. Mathuki due to six million dollars in missing funds from the EAC Secretariat's Peace Fund.[10] The allegations came from four whistleblowers close to his office who complained to one EALA MP. EALA Finance Subcommittee Chairperson Denis Namara broached the allegations at a EALA Plenary Session on 5 March 2024, following a speech from Kenyan President William Ruto, beginning the process of impeachment. However, on 8 March 2024, Dr. Mathuki was recalled by Ruto, sidestepping the impeachment which would have reflected negatively on Kenya. He was the first EAC Secretary-General to be recalled. Ruto also appointed Dr. Mathuki to Ambassador of Kenya to Russia, which the Kenyan National Assembly confirmed soon thereafter.[11] On May 14 2024, the EALA announced that it will investigate Dr. Mathuki for corruption and abuse of office, with charges including fabricated travel expenses and favoritism in hiring of staff and consultants.[12] On 7 June 2024, he was officially replaced as EAC Secretary-General by Veronica Nduva.

Other considerations

He sits on several boards including the Kenya Investment Authority, Inter-University Council for East Africa, Uganda and Centre of Excellence for ICT in East Africa, Tanzania and the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency among others.[13] He is also a member of the Kenya Institute of Management.[4] [7]

Notes

Likely outdated.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kenya's Peter Mathuki picked to head EAC Secretariat . . 28 February 2021. Aggrey Mutambo . 24 April 2021 . Kampala.
  2. Web site: Kenyatta takes charge of East African Community . . 27 February 2021 . The Independent & Agencies . 24 April 2021 . Kampala.
  3. Web site: 7 June 2024 . Veronica Nduva sworn in as EAC Secretary-General . 7 June 2024 . eac.int.
  4. Web site: African News Agency . 5 March 2021 . Career : Peter Mathuki picked to head EAC Secretariat . 24 April 2021 . African News Agency . Montreal, Canada . 24 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210424094922/https://www.africanewsagency.fr/portrait-peter-mathuki-a-la-tete-de-la-cae/?lang=en . dead .
  5. Web site: Dr. Peter M Mathuki – East African Business Council.
  6. Web site: 16 August 2021 . Inside Peter Mathuki's 100 days at the helm of EAC . The East African.
  7. Web site: Kenya's Peter Mathuki picked to head EAC Secretariat. 28 February 2021. Daily Monitor.
  8. Web site: What you need to know about incoming EAC boss Peter Mathuki, his experience and agenda.
  9. News: Anami . Luke . 21 April 2024 . Highs and lows of Peter Mathuki era at EAC head office in Arusha . live . 7 June 2024 . The East African.
  10. News: Anami . Luke . Mutambo . Aggrey . 9 March 2024 . Besieged Peter Mathuki nominated diplomat to Moscow . live . 7 June 2024 . Nation.
  11. News: Mwai . Mercy . 16 May 2024 . Kenya's diplomat to Russia under probe for corruption . live . 7 June 2024 . People Daily.
  12. News: 15 May 2024 . Former EAC boss Peter Mathuki to be investigated for corruption . live . 7 June 2024 . The New Times . .
  13. Web site: Kenya's Peter Mathuki appointed as Head of EAC Secretariat. Kester Kenn. Klomegah. 2 March 2021.