Former KNUT Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has come to the defense of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, following a Standard newspaper report labeling him a “weak-kneed diplomat” for his handling of incidents involving Kenyans in neighboring countries.
Sossion argued in a TV47 interview that effective diplomacy requires careful, measured engagement rather than public confrontations or aggressive rhetoric.
He cited Mudavadi’s role in securing the safe return of Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo from Uganda earlier this month as evidence of his success.
“The headline suggesting Mudavadi is weak overlooks how diplomacy works in practice. It is about quiet, strategic negotiations that prioritize the safety of citizens. Bringing Njagi and Oyoo home unharmed is a tangible achievement," Sossion said.
The Standard report had criticized Mudavadi for what it described as a subdued response to abuses against Kenyans in neighboring states, highlighting the abduction of activists in Uganda and the killing of a Kenyan teacher in Tanzania.
The newspaper compared his public stance unfavorably to international diplomats, arguing that he has failed to assert Kenya’s interests forcefully.
Sossion countered this perspective, emphasizing that behind-the-scenes engagement often yields more durable outcomes than public posturing.
He said that Kenya’s diplomatic efforts are aimed at constructive dialogue with regional leaders, particularly in sensitive cross-border issues where heightened tensions could endanger citizens.
Human rights groups have recently urged the government to adopt firmer measures to protect Kenyans abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, maintains that ongoing discussions and coordination with neighboring states remain the most effective approach.
The debate over Mudavadi’s methods has drawn national attention, reflecting broader public concern about the safety of Kenyans living or traveling in East Africa.