H.E. P S Wamoto Kenyan High Commissioner to South Africa
DS: Last country where you were based before coming to South Africa
HE: Before my appointment to South Africa, I was the Political and Diplomatic Secretary (Chief Political Director) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters in Nairobi. My last diplomatic posting abroad was as Deputy High Commissioner to Abuja, Nigeria.
DS: Most interesting place in South Africa
HE: I have not been all over South Africa yet but so far the most interesting place that I have been to is Robben Island.
DS: Your impression about South Africa in 3 words
HE: Vibrant, Fascinating and Addictive
DS: One place you would like to be posted to or visit
HE: Jerusalem
DS: Most memorable appointment thus far
HE: London, UK. This was my first assignment overseas and my first child was born there.
DS: Most challenging situation that you had to handle thus far
HE: The aftermath of the Kenya Defence Forces incursion into Somalia in October 2011 when I was then the Ag. Permanent Secretary (Ag. Director - General), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
DS: My inspiration is/comes from.
HE: My late parents. They were not well off but through hard work, they ensured that all of us in the family (9 children) were well looked after and went to school properly.
DS: Place in your country that you love to visit.
HE: The coastal town of Lamu with its raw sandy beaches and the rich Swahili Culture.
DS: Most interesting place to visit elsewhere
HE: Istanbul, Turkey where East meets West
DS: Favourite dish of your country
HE: Ugali (pap) and creamed Tsisaka - spider plant vegetable (botanical name - Gynandropsis gyandra).
DS: Tastiest dish of another Country.
HE: Boiled Plantain with obe ata dindin (fried pepper stew) from Nigeria.
DS: Favourite eating place in Pretoria.
HE: I am still sampling the very large variety of restaurants but so far, it is the Blu Saffron.
DS: The best book I have ever read.
HE: Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom.
DS: At the moment I am reading
HE: Solomon Northup: 12 Years a Slave by Harriet Beacher Stowe and The Snowden Files: The Worlds most wanted Man by Luke Harding.
DS: I spend my leisure time
HE: Working out at the gym, reading and enjoying a drink at the Pretoria Country Club with friends.
DS: One sentence describing a lesson that you have learnt from being a diplomat
HE: Always express hostility with Courtesy, indifference with interest and friendship with prudence.