National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has suspended the ongoing vetting of President William Ruto Principal Secretary nominees.
In a letter to chairpersons of Departmental Committees and persons nominated as PSs, Wetang’ula said the exercise has been suspended until further notice.
“The Departmental Committees which had already concluded the vetting proceedings and approval hearings are to suspend any activity relating to reporting to the House on the proceedings until further notice,” Wetang’ula said.
“I have directed our litigation counsel to move to the concerned courts to set aside the ex-parte orders based on various legal grounds. Thereafter, the proceedings will resume subject to the directions of the court.”
Wetang’ula noted that as the Speaker of the House, he was obliged to respect the rule of law.
“Constitution places an obligation on the Speaker and the House to respect and uphold the Constitution in particular by abiding and upholding the rule of law.”
The vetting of persons nominated to serve as PSs commenced on November 14 in the various Departmental Committees of the House.
President William Ruto submitted to the National Assembly names of various persons nominated for PS positions on November 2.
On Tuesday, the High Court stopped the ongoing vetting of permanent secretaries by Parliament, pending the determination of a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya.
The LSK says in the petition that the list of 51 PSs presented to Parliament for vetting and approval for not depict the national representation including the youth, persons with disabilities, the marginalised and gender balance.
