- The three MPs say he lacks personal integrity and is therefore unsuitable as a state officer
- They cited the case of Ben Chumo, who was rejected as nominee for chairperson of Salaries and Remuneration Commission over graft
Kazungu Kambi still has hurdles to clear to become a commissioner with the National Land Commission despite being cleared by a parliamentary vetting committee.
Three Coast legislators in the Lands Committee that vetted the former Cabinet Secretary, wrote a dissenting minority report challenging Kambi’s inclusion. They cited a number of issues they say render him unsuitable.
The MPs intend to block the former Kaloleni MP's appointment when the House debates the report tabled on Thursday by committee chairperson Rachael Nyamai, who is the Kitui South MP.
Their report's annexe cites his integrity and inconsistencies in his educational and professional background.
The three are Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Teddy Mwambire (Ganze) and Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe).
They questioned the integrity of the academic certificates submitted to the vetting panel.
“The CV of the nominee indicates that between 1990 to 1994 he worked as manager in Kenya Post Bank and between 1987 to 1990 as assistant manager in the same bank. However, in his sworn statement dated September 25, 2019, the nominee indicated that in 1985-1990 he was still in school,” the minority report obtained by the Star says.
“The inconsistencies cast doubt on the integrity of the nominee in terms of dishonesty contrary to Article 73 of the Constitution contained in Chapter Six. In view of the inconsistencies in the submissions by the said nominee revealing falsehood, the said nominee lacks personal integrity and is therefore not suitable for appointment as state officer.”
The MPs took issue with Kazungu’s failure to produce his KCSE certificate after he orally told the committee during last week’s vetting that he scored D+ but when challenged to submit the same, he said he could not trace the certificate.
“This raises questions and queries on the manner in which his degree certificate was obtained. The question that was never answered was, therefore, how did he manage to be admitted to the university with a D+ and three months bridging course to do a bachelor's degree?” the MPs' report queries.
The lawmakers also faulted the former CS in connection with three court cases he is accused of using land belonging to the Giriama Ranch Company Ltd as security for Sh250 million loan through his Riva Oils Company Limited. They said he failed to pay the loan.
Citing the case of Ben Chumo, a rejected nominee for chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission over graft charges, the MPs want Parliament to block Kazungu as the precedent was set with Chumo’s case.
The lawmakers hope to convince their colleagues to shoot down Kazungu's nomination when the report is debated.
On Thursday, Nyamai tabled the committee’s report approving eight of the nine nominees. Former Isiolo Woman Representative was rejected on account of being tax non-compliant.
The committee approved Kazungu’s nomination alongside ex-Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi, James Tuitoek, Gertrude Nduku, Reginald Okumu, Hubbie Hussein Al-Haji and Alister Murimi Mutugi. They will fill the vacant NLC commissioners posts.
The committee also approved NLC chairman nominee Gershom Otachi to replace Mohammed Swazuri.
The nominations were approved by 11 members, while five failed to turn up for the crucial meeting. Three wrote a dissenting report on the former CS.