Mavoko MP Patrick Makau on Wednesday defended CS nominee Peninah Malonza after she was rejected by the National Assembly Committee on appointments.
According to the MP, Malonza was rejected on parameters that did not apply to other Cabinet nominees who were vetted.
He went on to say that the work of a cabinet secretary is not to understand what happens in a ministry because there are technical staff handling that.
Makau said it was unfair of the panel to ask her question regarding the ministry, yet she doesn't work there.
"Mr Speaker I'm going to ask that if we are going to pass that list as it is. Peninah Malonza should not be discriminated on a parameter not applied to anybody else," the legislator said while debating the vetting committee's report.
"Malonza does not sit in the ministry of Tourism and you know the work of a CS is not necessarily to understand what happens in the Ministry, there are PSs and technical staff and then Mr Speaker, for anybody to ask her questions concerning tourism and culture, that was unfair."
He called on the National Assembly to approve Malonza, insisting that once she takes charge of the docket, she will understand what needs to be done and that is when they can get to judge her.
On Tuesday, the National Assembly Committee on Appointments has unanimously rejected the nomination of Peninah Malonza as the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.
In a notice of motion, Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah said the Committee chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula had approved the nomination of the other 21 Cabinet Secretary nominees.
The committee said she didn't demonstrate knowledge of administrative and technical issues touching on the docket she had been nominated to.
“The nominee did not demonstrate knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage,” the report tabled on Tuesday read.
“Consequently, the nominee lacks requisite abilities and experience to serve as the Cabinet secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.”
