Cabinet secretary nominee Peter Munya will relinquish the post should integrity cases be raised and proven.
President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated the former Meru governor to the East African Community and Northern Corridor Development docket.
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Munya told the
National Assembly Committee on Appointments that as a veteran politician, he fully understands the requirements of chapter six in the constitution
“I assure this committee that I fully understand chapter six and that I will immediately follow the law and step aside if found culpable on integrity issues. As a leader, I am not an exception to the law," he said.
Munya dismissed the possibility that he will put more focus on his 2022 presidential bid than his duties as minister.
“Once approved I will have no time for politics unless it will be one of the duties I will be assigned to do. If my boss gives me an assignment that is political in nature, I will gladly execute it but I don’t intend to."
Regarding regional integration, the nominee said lack of adequate personnel and resources have derailed efforts.
He said some of the six member countries have not been remitting their contributions, presenting a perennial challenge that needs a holistic solution.
The nations are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and
South Sudan.
“We have been contributing equally to the community but my priority is to see whether we can change tack and pardon the smaller economies so the bigger the economy, the more the contributions, amid efforts to carry along our brother and sisters."
The former county chief added that through the 17 areas of cooperation, the community has been getting more than half of its budget from donors.
“East Africa is the largest market in the region. It makes a 25 per cent contribution to global trade. It’s time to rethink the agenda, improve infrastructure and find innovative ways of securing resources,” he said.
Munya was the fifth person to be vetted on Thursday under the leadership of speaker Justin Muturi.
Former Public Service Commission chairperson Margret Kobia was the first to face MPs to prove her suitability for the Public Service ministry,.
She was followed by former Turkana senator John Munyes (Petroleum and Mining) and then came former
Interior PS Monica Juma (Foreign Affairs and International Trade).
Fourth was veteran journalist Farida Karoney for the Lands, Housing and Urban Development docket.
Juma said she was ready for the job while Karoney promised to get rid of cartels and forge a better relationship with the National Lands Commission.
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