MPs approve team to vet Ruto's Cabinet nominees

The National Assembly yesterday approved two critical committees to vet President William Ruto's Cabinet nominees and determine which departmental committees each of the 349 MPs will sit in.

The MPs approved a list of nominees to the 21-member Committee on Appointments whose first order of business will be grilling the Cabinet secretary nominees unveiled on September 27 and the Selection Committee.

The Committee on Appointments will comprise MPs Nelson Koech, Rahab Wachira Mukami, Dido Ali Raso, George Gitonga Murugara, David Gikaria, Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Mary Emaase, Abdul Rahim Dawood, Caleb Amisi, Stephen Mule, Abdi Shurie, Naisula Lesuuda, David Pkosing and Mishi Mboko.

The committee will have Speaker Moses Wetang'ula as the chairperson, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, their deputies Owen Baya and Robert Mbui, Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro and Minority Whip Junet Mohammed.

The committee is expected to begin vetting CS nominees next week.

This sets the stage for the next battle between Azimio la Umoja One Kenya and Kenya Kwanza Alliance after opposition MPs vowed to ensure strict vetting and rejection of nominees whose integrity has been called into question.

President Ruto will, however, rely on his foot soldiers in Kenya Kwanza to ensure all Cabinet nominees sail through.

Mr Wandayi urged the House not to lose sight of the requirements of the Constitution, Leadership and Integrity Act, Public Office and Ethics Act, and the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, during the vetting of the nominees.

"It is this House that has the power to vet presidential nominees to CS positions. There is a notion that this House is simply a rubber stamp but that is far from it. Even as the committee sits to consider this business it needs to look at the entire package on whether it meets tenets of the Constitution, principles of good governance, regional balance, PWDs, gender balance even before we check the suitability of individual members," he said.

Wandayi urged the committee and House to ensure it only approves names of nominees "that bring honour and dignity to the offices they hold and are most suitable for the job".

"If the President brings people who don't pass the suitability test we will not approve them. We are not trying to dictate to the President who to appoint but informing him that he has the option of going back and choosing from the 25 million people that are qualified," he said.

Mr Ichung'wah said none of the CS nominees had their jobs assured, and that the committee would do due diligence.

"The President has made it clear that he will allow Parliament to conduct its business unperturbed and we will exercise our oversight role without fear. Soon we shall also be changing our Standing Orders to appear before plenary to answer queries," he said.

Sabatia MP Clement Sloya called on the committee to ensure that issues of integrity take centre stage and expressed optimism that all 22 nominees would pass vetting.

"I am sure the committee will do due diligence to Kenyans by thoroughly vetting the Cabinet nominees to ensure the country gets the best leaders steering it. It is also noteworthy that both the majority and the minority sides of Parliament submitted names of persons with good reputation, experience and tremendous leadership qualities to the committee," Mr Sloya said.

At the same time, the National Assembly yesterday approved 21 names to sit in the Selection Committee whose mandate is to determine which committees the 349 MPs will serve in.

MPs Eric Karemba Muchangi Njiru, John Kiarie Waweru, Beatrice Kahai Adagala, Japhet Miriti Kareke Mbiuki, Julius Kibiwott Melly, Joash Nyamoko Nyamache, Martha Wangari Wanjira, Robert Pukose, Leah Sopiato Sankaire, Anne Muratha Wanjiku, Caroline Jeptoo Ng'elechei, Joseph Majimbo Kalasinga, Junet Mohamed, and Joshua Kimilu were approved to sit in the committee.

Others are Jessica Mbalu, Julius Sunkuli, Samuel Arama, Ken Chonga, Nabii Nabwera, Umulkheir Harun, and Ali Wario Guyo.

The House leadership noted that there had been push by MPs to align themselves with 'lucrative' positions.

"We have had engagements with members who are seeking to be placed in certain committees and I have seen people queuing outside the office of the minority and mine as well. But they need to know this is the committee charged with placing them in those committees," said Ichung'wah.