• The National Assembly has until November 3 to vet the CS nominees.
• President Ruto sent the names to the August House last Thursday.
Image: WILLIAM RUTO
The National Assembly is ready for the vetting of Cabinet secretaries slated for Tuesday next week.
This followed the appointment of 15 MPs to sit on the committee to review the suitability of the 22 men and women nominated by President William Ruto to serve in the next Cabinet.
The men and women unveiled by the minority and majority party include MPs Nelson Koech (Belgut), Rahab Mukami (Nyeri Woman Rep), Dido Ali Raso (Saku), Gitonga Murugara (Tharaka) and David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East).
Also on the list are Junet Mohamed of Suna East, Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi, his Teso South counterpart Mary Emaase, Rahim Dawood (North Imenti), Saboti’s Caleb Amisi and Stephen Mule of Matungulu.
The committee also comprises Abdi Shurie (Balambala) Naisula Lesuuda (Samburu West), Pokot South MP David Pkosing and Likoni's Mishi Mboko.
Speaker Moses Wetang'ula is the chairperson of the committee which also has Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss, Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, and their deputies Owen Baya (Kilifi North) and Robert Mbui (Kathiani) respectively as members.
The team, approved in a plenary session on Wednesday, has its work cut out after President Ruto submitted the list of Cabinet nominees last Thursday.
It has to sieve memorandums submitted to the august House on the suitability of the nominees to pave way for their subsequent appointment and oath-taking.
The EACC has promised to hand integrity dossiers on some of the nominees to Parliament, signalling a thorough vetting.
Members of the opposition have promised thorough vetting. The Cord side stayed away from vetting in 2013.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Tuesday rallied Azimio troops to stay true to their mandate. “The committee must take these concerns seriously.”
“The EACC and other governance institutions must really prove to us that they are up to the task of fulfilling the mandate the Kenyan taxpayers have put on them,” the Wiper leader said.
Wandayi said they will not hesitate to reject those with questionable integrity, adding that the President has a large pool of merited persons to pick from.
“If the President brings the names of persons who don’t meet the suitability test, we will simply tell the President to go back to the more than 25 million Kenyans who meet the test,” Wandayi said.
The Ugunja lawmaker said persons being appointed to the said offices must be persons whose conduct brings honour and dignity to the office.
“This is one such exercise that once this House embarks on, the country must feel convinced that Parliament has done justice not only to the process itself but even to those persons whose names have been brought before the House for approval,” Wandayi said.
Ichung'wah, who is leading Kenya Kwanza troops, said they would not hesitate to lock out nominees whom MPs resolve are unfit to assume the posts.
“None of the CS nominees is assured of their job until the House approves,” the Kikuyu MP said.
He hailed the committee list as balanced. “If you look at the names, they are not just seasoned members but they represent different interests with a good balance in terms of regions, ethnic, and religion,” Ichung'wah added.
He also assured Kenyans, who have until Thursday to submit a memorandum on the suitability of the nominees, that the vetting would be conducted in a transparent manner.
“People will follow us live on television. The clerk has notified the general public of the vetting. If there are any Kenyans who have memoranda for the committee to consider have until Thursday to submit such memoranda,” Ichung'wah said.
He said the committee would consider all memoranda that have been brought before the House.
“We will be fair to everyone and afford those mentioned an opportunity to be heard before the committee. It is a committee that we have agreed upon ourselves in the majority and minority party,” Ichung'wah said.
“Even as we approve these nominees, we shall be changing our standing orders to have those approved appear in this House to answer to queries.”
The committee’s report, which the Speaker directed should be ready by October 27, will be tabled in plenary for debate and subsequent approval or rejection by MPs.
The National Assembly has until November 3 to vet and make recommendations on the suitability of the nominated Cabinet secretaries.
The House leadership has also constituted a team that would select members of committees.
The Committee on Selection will be comprised of MPs Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), John Kiarie Waweru (Dagoretti South), Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Julius Melly (Tinderet), Joash Nyamoko (South Mugirango), Martha Wangari (Gilgil), Robert Pukose (Endebess) and Leah Sopiato Sankaire (Kajiado).
Also on the list are Caroline Jeptoo Ng’elechei (Elgeyo Marakwet), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti), Jessica Mbalu (Kibwezi West), Julius Sunkuli (Kilgoris), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), Umulkheir Harun (nominated) and Ali Wario Guyo (Garsen).
Edited by A.N