- Umra's fate now lies with the plenary of the two Houses of Parliament.
- If the plenary rejects the committee recommendations, then she would land the job.
Image: Handout
President William Ruto has suffered a major blow after a Parliamentary committee rejected his nominee for the Climate Change Council.
The joint committee of the Senate's Land Environment and National Assembly's Environment and Forestry rejected Umra Omar.
The joint panel however approved the nomination of three other nominees to the Council.
They are Emily Waita, John Kalua and George Outa.
"The committee recommends that Parliament rejects the nomination of Umra Omar for the appointment as a member of the National Climate Change Council by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya," a report by the joint panel reads.
In the report by the panel co-chaired by Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria said that Umra did not demonstrate knowledge of the job
"The nominee did not demonstrate knowledge of topical technical and administrative issues touching on the matters relating to indigenous knowledge to section 7(2)(h) of the Climate Change Act and section 7(c) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval Act), 2011 during her approval hearing," the report states.
"Consequently, the nominee lacks the requisite abilities and experience to serve as a member of the National Climate Change Council."
The committee said the nominee, from her general demeanour during the approval hearing coupled with unclear responses to the topical questions, appeared not to be adequately prepared and displayed a general lack of interest.
Umra's fate now lies with the plenary of the two Houses of Parliament.
If the plenary rejects the committee recommendations, then she would land the job.
Last year, the plenary saved Tourism CS Pennina Malonza after it overturned a recommendation by the Appointment committee to reject her nomination.