The National Assembly has clarified reports regarding an alleged request for the vetting of nominees for Cabinet positions.
The legislative body clarified a widely circulated letter purported to be from the National Assembly Clerk addressed to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC) boss which requested the vetting of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i and Muhoho Kenyatta as Cabinet nominees.
Further, the letter alleged that Prof. Makau Mutua, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Ambassador Dr. Koki Muli Grignon, and former Meru Governor Peter Munya had been selected as nominees.
National Assembly clarifies Cabinet vetting
The letter, which has since been flagged as fake, also sought a thorough review of the nominees by the EACC and provision of a comprehensive vetting report.
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This was to include any pending or past investigations, corruption-related concerns, ethical breaches, or any other relevant integrity matters that may affect their suitability for public office.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, and Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya, Parliament is seeking an integrity vetting report for the following six individuals who have been nominated for Cabinet positions,” read part of the letter.
It added, “We request that the vetting report be submitted to the Committee on Appointments by 18th March 2025 to facilitate further parliamentary proceedings in accordance with the law.”
However, the National Assembly quickly flagged the letter with a fake stamp, denying its authenticity and refuting the claims made in the document.
Looming reshuffle as ODM, UDA parties sign pact
This comes days amid a looming major political shift following the signing of a historic pact between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party, led by President William Ruto and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party, led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The agreement which was signed on March 7 at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) outlines a strategic collaboration between the two parties, raising speculation of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle to accommodate the new political realignment.
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Both UDA and ODM parties found common ground on key governance issues that will chart the country’s way forward, paving the way for this unexpected partnership following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement further focuses on strengthening devolution, fighting corruption, reviewing national debt, the two-thirds gender rule, the fight against corruption, ensuring youth economic empowerment and all issues that featured prominently in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
Following the agreement, political insiders have pointed out that the impending reshuffle could see ODM-affiliated politicians or technocrats aligned with the party taking up ministerial positions. Speculation is rife that strategic ministries could be affected.
Further, political analysts argue that this realignment could reshape Kenya’s governance and political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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