MPs cut short long recess to consider reports on President Ruto's Cabinet, PSC nominees

Members of Parliament are today (January 16) cutting short their long recess to consider reports on President William Ruto's nominees to key government positions.

The lawmakers, who are currently on a two-month break, will review the committee reports on three nominees for Cabinet Secretaries (CS) who will join Ruto's broad-based government.

The three nominees are Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), William Kabogo (ICT), and Lee Kinyanjui (Trade).

These individuals are seen as allies of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, raising interest and debate in Parliament as the legislators prepare to scrutinise their suitability for the roles.

The Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, met on Wednesday afternoon to finalise its report on the three nominees.

Wetang'ula directed MPs to gather in the chamber on Thursday at 3 pm to discuss the draft report and make conclusions.

"I invite you tomorrow to be in this chamber at exactly 3 pm so that we look at the (draft) and make our conclusions, whereas we wait for a special sitting (on Thursday)," Wetang'ula said after the approval hearing for the CS nominees.

MPs will debate the committee's report which they can either approve, amend, or reject. If the nominees are approved, their names will be sent to President Ruto for formal appointment and swearing-in.

If the House rejects any of the nominees, the Speaker will inform the President, who will then submit alternative names for consideration.

In addition to the CS nominees, MPs will also review reports on nominees for the Public Service Commission (PSC) and individuals nominated for diplomatic posts.

President Ruto has nominated Mary Kimonye for vice-chairperson of the PSC. Other PSC nominees include former IEBC commissioner Boya Molu, Harun Maalim, Mwanamaka Amani, Francis Meja, Irene Asienga, Joan Andisi, and Francis Owino.

Last week, these individuals appeared before the National Assembly's Labour Committee chaired by Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba for approval hearings.

MPs will also consider reports on ambassador nominees, including Ababu Namwamba for the United Nations office in Nairobi, Andrew Karanja for Brazil, and Noor Gabow for Haiti.

The Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, led by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, vetted these nominees.

One notable development is the withdrawal of former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura, who declined her nomination to represent Kenya in Accra, Ghana.

In a letter to the National Assembly clerk, Nyambura cited personal and compelling reasons for her decision.

"I would like to give appreciation for the invitation to appear before the committee on January 10, 2025. Pursuant to section 6 (10) of the public appointment, Parliamentary Approval Act of 2011, I wish to inform you that I will not appear before the said committee at the time and venue for the approval hearing," Nyambura stated.

Meanwhile, the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations has approved the appointments of three nominees for key diplomatic roles.

In a letter to Speaker Wetang'ula, the committee confirmed that the nominees had been thoroughly vetted based on their academic qualifications, professional experience, and integrity.

"The nominees' suitability for the offices they were nominated to was assessed through a thorough review of their qualifications, as well as their performance during the hearings," the committee said.