President Ruto's cabinet nominees face MPs for vetting today

A panel of MPs, led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, is set to begin the vetting of President William Ruto's Cabinet nominees Tuesday, with former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe's nomination to head the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Kagwe, widely recognised for his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to face scrutiny over his vision for transforming Kenya's agriculture sector, which remains critical given the current economic challenges.

His leadership during the pandemic earned him national acclaim for his clear communication and ability to navigate crises, a skill that will likely prove valuable as he addresses the pressing concerns of the agricultural community.

As the vetting session commences, Kagwe will be expected to outline his plans to enhance the agricultural sector, particularly the tea, coffee, and dairy industries, which President Ruto aims to revitalise.

His ability to communicate complex issues effectively may also be tested as MPs scrutinise his proposed reforms.

Kagwe's nomination comes at a time of heightened political tension in the Mt. Kenya region, following the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Calm political unrest

His selection, alongside other prominent figures, is seen as part of Ruto's strategy to strengthen his support in the region and calm political unrest.

Other notable nominees up for vetting include former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, who has been nominated for the Information, Communications, and Digital Economy docket, and Lee Kinyanjui, who is set to head the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry.

Kabogo, with his experience in governance and understanding of local connectivity issues, is expected to address key concerns during his vetting.

As the committee moves forward with the vetting process, the focus will be on how each nominee plans to tackle the country's most pressing issues.

In Kagwe's case, much attention will be given to his proposed strategies to improve agricultural productivity, incentivise production, and create more opportunities for farmers.

Meanwhile, the public has been invited to submit memoranda on the nominees, but as of now, it is unclear whether any feedback has been received.

The deadline for public submissions was on January 3, 2025, by 5 pm.

All memoranda should be submitted via email, mail, or hand-delivery to the Office of the Clerk at Parliament Buildings.

All nominees are required to appear for the hearings with their original identity documents, academic certificates, and certificates of compliance from institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

This vetting exercise is in line with constitutional provisions that empower the President to nominate, with the approval of the National Assembly, Cabinet Secretaries, ambassadors, and members of various commissions.