Kenneth Kedi

Kenneth Kedi
Speaker of the Legislature of the Marshall Islands
Assumed office
4 January 2016
Preceded by Donald Capelle
Personal details
Born 1971 (age 44–45)
Political party Kien Eo Ad (KEA)

Kenneth Kedi (born 1971)[1] is a Marshallese politician. He has been Speaker of the Legislature of the Marshall Islands since 4 January 2016. Kedi won the election with 19 votes to 14 of former Marshall Islands President Christopher Loeak.[1] He succeeded Donald Capelle. Kedi is a member of the Kien Eo Ad (KEA) party.[2]

Kedi represents the Rongelap Atoll in the Legislature. He has stated that people from the atoll are hesitant to return after nuclear testing on the island by the United States during the 20th-century.[3]

In June 2011 when Kedi Minister of Transport and Communications, he was charged with ten counts of criminal acts relating to misappropriation of funds, making it the first time a Marshall Islands minister was charged with criminal acts.[4][5] When the case went to court the next month seven of the charges were dropped, and Kedi pleaded no contest to the remaining three. The amount of money involved in the case was around US$2000. Kedi received a suspended prison sentence of 30 days, and a $1000 fine. He continued to serve as Minister.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Carsten Nemra new RMI President". The Marshall Islands Journal. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Senator Kenneth Kedi, the Seventh Speaker of the Nitijela". Legislature of the Marshall Islands. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Dan Zak (27 November 2015). "A ground zero forgotten The Marshall Islands, once a U.S. nuclear test site, face oblivion again". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Marshall Islands cabinet minister makes history with criminal charges". Radio New Zealand. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Giff Johnson (20 June 2011). "Marshalls minister's case faces hurdles to trial". Marianas Variety. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Marshalls minister Kedi pleads no contest". Radio New Zealand. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2016.


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