• The panel will commence the approval hearings and is expected to table its report in Parliament on or before October 27.
• On September 28, President William Ruto unveiled members of his Cabinet whose appointment will depend on the outcome of the vetting exercise.
Image: COURTESY
Parliament is set to start vetting Cabinet nominees after members of the vetting committee were approved by MPs on Wednesday.
The approval followed a motion moved by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa following the appointment of the 21-members by the House Business Committee.
"We agreed unanimously on the names before the house and if you look at the names, they are not just seasoned but members who represent several interests to make sure we afford the people of Kenya an opportunity of a transparent process,” Ichungwa said.
The team comprises MPs Erick Karemba, John Kiarie, Beatrice Kahai, Japheth Kareka, Julius Kibiwott, Silavanus Osoro, Martha Wangari, Robert Bukose, Leah Soipato and Caroline Cheptoo.
Others are Joseph Majimbo, Junet Mohammed, Joshua Kimilu, Jesicca Mbalu, Julius Sunkuli, Ken Chonga, Umulkher Harun, Ali Wario Guyo, Nabii Nabwera, Anne Mugo and Samuel Arama.
The Appointments Committee will be chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula whose membership on the vetting team and that of the Majority and Minority leaders and their deputies is automatic.
The panel will commence the approval hearings and is expected to table its report in Parliament on or before October 27.
On September 28, President William Ruto unveiled members of his Cabinet whose appointment will depend on the outcome of the vetting exercise.
The 22 Cabinet nominees were unveiled alongside the nominees for the post of Prime Cabinet secretary, Attorney General, National Security adviser and Secretary to the Cabinet.
With Kenya Kwanza Alliance as the majority side in the House, some quarters assume the approval of the nominees is as good as done.
However, Azimio MPs have vowed to conduct a thorough vetting exercise particularly on the nominees who have integrity questions hanging over their heads.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said any nominee who fails the integrity test will be rejected.
"We will tell the President that you have time to go back and pick from those who can pass the test," Wandayi said.
The names and corresponding ministries and roles of the nominees are as follows:
1. Prime Cabinet Secretary - Musalia Mudavadi
2. Interior - Kithure Kindiki
3. National Treasury-Njuguna Ndung'u
4. Public Service and Gender - Aisha Jumwa
5. Defence - Aden Duale
6. Water, Sanitation & Irrigation - Alice Wahome
7. Foreign and Diaspora Affairs -Alfred Mutua
8. Trade - Moses Kuria
9. EAC - Rebecca Miano
10. Roads - Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen
11. Lands - Zacharia Mwangi Njeru
12. Tourism - Peninah Malonza
13. Agriculture - Mithika Linturi1
4. Education - Ezekiel Machogu
15. Energy and Petroleum - Davis Chirchir
16. Sports - Ababu Namwamba
17. Cooperatives and MSMEs - Simon Chelugui
18. Mining - Salim Mvurya
19. Labour - Florence Bore
20. Health - Susan Wafula
21. Communication - Eliud Owalo
22. Environment & forestry - Roselinda Soipan Tuya
Attorney General - Justin Muturi
National Security adviser - Monica Juma
Secretary to the cabinet - Mercy Wanjau