MPs Seal Fate of Gender CS Nominee Stella Soi

The National Assembly has voted to approve the rejection of the nomination of Stella Soi Lagat as Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the Ministry of Gender, Arts, and Culture.

At the same time, the MPs approved the appointment of the 19 other CS nominees selected by President William Ruto to fill various Cabinet positions. 

This comes after the appointment committee, which concluded the vetting of the Cabinet Secretaries on Sunday, August 4, rejected the nomination of Stella Soi Langat.

“THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Committee on Appointments in its Second Report on the vetting of the nominees for appointment to the Offices of Cabinet Secretaries, laid on the Table of the House today, Wednesday, August 2024, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 152(2) of the Constitution and sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval Act, 2011.”

“This House rejects the appointment of Ms. Stella Soi Lang’at as the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts & Heritage,” National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said on Wednesday while giving a notice of the motion to approve the nominees. 

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah stated that the committee found nominee Stella Soi Lagat did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the topical, administrative, and technical issues related to the portfolio she was nominated for.

He further added that she lacked the requisite abilities and qualities needed for the position of Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, The Arts, and Heritage.

Stella Soi Langat Left Out of List of Approved Cabinet Secretaries

The approved appointments include Kithure Kindiki as CS for Interior, Deborah Barasa as CS for Health, Alice Wahome for Lands, and Julius Migos for Education.

Additional appointees are Soipan Tuyia for Defence, Andrew Karanja for Agriculture, Aden Duale for Environment, Eric Mugaa for Water, and Davis Chirchir for Roads.

The committee also confirmed Margaret Ndung’u as CS for ICT, John Mbadi for National Treasury, Salim Mvurya for Investments and Trade, Rebecca Miano for Tourism, and Opiyo Wandayi for Energy.

Other approved positions include Kipchumba Murkomen for Sports, Hassan Joho for Mining, Alfred Mutua for Labour, Wycliffe Oparanya for MSMEs, and Justin Muturi for Public Service.

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The four-day-long vetting process, which concluded on Sunday, revealed how some Cabinet returnees had significantly increased their wealth during their previous ministerial terms.

Throughout the vetting process, committee members scrutinized the candidates’ qualifications, experience, and suitability for their respective roles.

Nominees were required to demonstrate their understanding of their mandates in the positions they were seeking.

Despite public calls for a completely new Cabinet, eight individuals from the previous administration and politicians have made a return to the cabinet.

President William Ruto after dismissing his entire cabinet on July 11, stated that he would reconstitute a broad-based government composed of the political formations and other stakeholders.

Also Read: Net Worth & Profile of Stella Soi, Ruto’s Nominee Rejected by Vetting Committee

Broad-Based Govt

Ruto explained that he formed the broad-based government by incorporating members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to foster national unity and drive economic transformation.

He believes such an arrangement can help him address the critical issues in the wake of countrywide protests. 

Among the four Cabinet Secretary nominees from ODM are Hassan Joho for Blue Economy, Wycliffe Oparanya for Cooperatives, Opiyo Wandayi for Energy and Petroleum, and John Mbadi for Treasury. 

Political pundits argue that a broad-based government is crucial in addressing grievances, especially in light of the Gen Z-led protests.

The young people feel excluded or neglected by the current regime, and incorporating diverse political voices into the government is seen as a way to address these concerns and promote inclusivity.

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