Speaker Wetang'ula rejects lawyer's bid to cross-examine CS nominee Kagwe

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on Tuesday rejected a request by lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui to cross-examine Cabinet Secretary nominee Mutahi Kagwe during the vetting process.

The Speaker clarified that the request was not supported by the law governing parliamentary approval processes.

Speaking before the vetting commenced, Wetang'ula outlined that the Parliament Approval Act does not allow for contesting parties to personally interrogate nominees.

Instead, he emphasised the use of affidavits to raise any concerns or objections.

"My direction, honourable members, is that under the Parliament Approval Act, Section 6, there is no provision for any contesting party to appear before this committee to cross-examine any nominee," Wetang'ula said.

The Speaker further explained that individuals opposing a nominee should submit affidavits to the Clerk of Parliament, as provided by the law.

These affidavits are then used by the committee to question the nominee during hearings.

"Whoever has issues with a nominee is required to submit an affidavit, as has been done in this case. The affidavit is then examined by the committee, and questions based on its content are put to the nominee. This process ensures transparency and fairness," the Speaker said.

Wetang'ula assured the committee that all necessary steps had been followed in handling the concerns raised by lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui and his client, Aura.

The Speaker confirmed that the nominee had already responded to the affidavit, and the response was part of the records under review.

"To Mr. Aura and your lawyer, you are at liberty to sit in the gallery and follow the proceedings. However, the privilege of appearing to cross-examine a nominee is not provided for in any law. This is not an adversarial proceeding or a trial; it is simply an inquisitorial process," Wetang'ula clarified.