International wildlife conservation charity, Fauna and Flora International (FFI) has appointed former tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Najib Balala as its vice president.
Balala's appointment to the world's oldest international wildlife conservation comes barely weeks after he left the government following a new administration.
Mark Rose, the organisation's CEO welcomed the former CS stating that he was excited to have him at the organisation.
"On behalf of all of the team at FFI, I am delighted to welcome Honourable Najib Balala as vice-president-he will be a wonderful global ambassador for FFI,
"Hon. Balala has been incredibly influential in the wildlife and tourism sectors in Kenya and across Africa and we are very privileged to be able to benefit from this wealth of knowledge and experience," Rose stated.
Balala on CS Job
Balala had earlier requested to be retained as tourism CS in President William Ruto's administration.
"I am happy and humbled and I thank President Kenyatta for giving me the chance to serve the nation. I welcome President Ruto and I am ready to serve in his government whenever it’s necessary,” Balala said.
He received backlash from a section of Kenyans such as lawyer Miguna Miguna who argued that the position was not meant for him alone.
"To my friend Najib Balala (@tunajibu), you are NOT the only Kenyan who was born to serve as cabinet secretary for tourism. You have held that position for more than 15 years. That's enough. Move on. Retire. Find something else to do. There are 35 million UNEMPLOYED KENYANS," Miguna stated.
Despite his pleas, Ruto picked Penina Malonza as the new CS for Tourism and Wildlife.
