Former Mombasa Governor and Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs nominee Ali Hassan Joho now faces a new hurdle after a petition seeking to stop his appointment as CS was filed.
The petition also seeks to stop the appointment of other opposition-allied leaders drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party into Cabinet.
These includes ODM Party national chairman John Mbadi, National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
The petitioner Julius Ogogoh through the Commission for Human Rights and Justice argues that the appointment of the four into Cabinet will conflict with the opposition’s Constitutional mandate of oversighting the government.
“Given the fact that the Interested Parties as members of the official opposition coalition in the National Assembly has a constitutional duty to oversight the function of the Executive and other arms of the government, the nomination and appointment of the Interested Parties into the cabinet and/or government as secretaries shall conflict with their constitutional duty bestowed upon the opposition party by the people of Kenya and the constitution to oversight the government and to provide checks and balance,” reads the petition in part.
According to the petitioner, the entire citizenry of Kenya stands to suffer great prejudice and infringement of their constitutional rights if Joho and his fellow ODM leaders are appointed as CSs.
Petition to Stop Appointment of ODM Stalwarts Filed
The petitioner further argued that their appointment amounts to utter violation of the Constitution of Kenya and betrayal of the trust bestowed upon the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Aliance (coalition) and the ODM Party by the people of Kenya.
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This petition came a day after President William Ruto nominated the four ODM party stalwarts to join his Cabinet following the dismissal of previous Cabinet Secretaries.
President Ruto on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, announced Mbadi as a nominee for the National Treasury slot in an address from State House Nairobi.
Joho, Wandayi, Oparanya & Mbadi Nominated to the Cabinet
The Head of State also nominated former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya as CS for the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) docket, while Ugunja Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Opiyo Wandayi was nominated to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum slot.
Also Read: Raila Issues Statement After Nomination of ODM Leaders to Cabinet
“In line with this undertaking, I will be forwarding additional names to Parliament for vetting prior to appointment based on the understanding of the Cabinet’s essential role in driving the transformational agenda that makes Kenya a better, more just and more prosperous nation for all,” said Ruto.
According to the President, the new Cabinet when constituted, will steward the government’s transformation agenda in providing effective and efficient public services, expanding opportunities for employment and wealth creation.
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