The National Assembly approved the appointment of members of Parliament (MPs) who will sit in the Committee on Appointments set to vet candidates nominated by President William Ruto for cabinet secretary positions.
Ruto nominated the first batch of 11 Cabinet Secretaries on July 19, 2024, after sacking the former CSs on July 11.
The committee overseeing the vetting process includes National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as the Chairperson and Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei.
Additionally, the Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung’wah, Deputy Majority Leader, Owen Baya, and the Deputy Leader of the Minority Party, Mbui Robert.
The Leader of the Minority and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, will not attend any vetting process as a committee member following his nomination to the energy docket.
“Notably, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, who was previously a member of the Committee, will not participate in the vetting process but will instead appear before the Committee for his own vetting,” the statement read in part.
15 MPs to Vet the Cabinet Secretaries
The committee also comprises MPs Nelson Koech (Belgut), Rahab Wachira Mukami (Nyeri Woman Rep), Dido Ali Raso (Saku), George Gitonga Murugara (Tharaka), and David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East).
Also in the committee are Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Teso South MP Mary Emaase, North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, and Matungulu MP Stephen Mule.
Other members are Balambala MP Abdi Shurie Omar, Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, Pokot South MP David Pkosing, and Likoni MP Mishi Mboko.
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In the absence of the Speaker, the Committee shall elect a Member from amongst its members, to chair the session.
The House Standing Orders require that the Committee on Appointments be appointed within seven days of the assembly of a new House and shall serve for a period of three years.
After the three-year period, a Committee appointed thereafter shall serve for the remainder of the term of the Assembly.
They must review memorandums submitted to the House on the suitability of the nominees to pave the way for their subsequent appointment and oath-taking.
The Committee on Appointments considers, for approval by the House, appointments under Articles 152(2) (Cabinet secretaries).
The quorum of the Committee on Appointments is one half of the Members of the Committee, but the Speaker is not counted for the purposes of quorum and does not vote.
Ruto Nominates 11 CSs
Ruto nominated six of his former CSs and five new faces in his cabinet with Prof Kithure Kindiki being retained as the CS for Interior and National Administration.
Aden Duale, if approved, will continue being the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, while Alice Wahome continues as the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development.
Also Read: Ruto Unveils New Cabinet Nominees
Additionally, President Ruto has nominated Soipan Tuya as the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.
Former Energy CS Davis Chirchir, on his part, has been moved to the Ministry of Roads and Transport, and former Trade CS Rebecca Miano has been nominated as the Attorney General.
New nominees include Deborah Mulongo Baraza nominated the for CS Health, Julius Ogamba, proposed as the Education CS while Andrew Muhia Karanja has been fronted as the CS for Agriculture to take over the role of Mithika Linturi.
The Ministry of Information Communication and Digital Economy has Margaret Nyambura as the nominee taking while Eric Murithi Muga has been nominated to the Ministry of Water and sanitation previously held by Zachariah Njeru.
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