Ruto’s 20 man cabinet to be vetted next week

The National Assembly has released a schedule for vetting President William Ruto's Cabinet of 20 nominees, which will take four days.

This is after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula received communication from President William Ruto, nominating an additional list of 10 persons for consideration by Parliament for the role of Cabinet Secretaries.

In a schedule released by Samuel Njoroge, Clerk of the National Assembly, on Wednesday, the vetting will take place next week from Thursday, August 1 to August 4, 2024.

"It is notified to the general public that in compliance with Article 152 (2) of the Constitution, Section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap. 7F, and Standing Order 45(3), the Committee on Appointments shall conduct Approval Hearings (Vetting) of the nominees from August 1 to August 4, 2024," reads the notice.

"Each nominee shall bring his or her original identity card, academic and professional certificates, and other relevant testimonials, letters/certificates of compliance or clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB)," Njoroge added.

The vetting will take place at the Mini-Chamber, County Hall, Parliament Buildings from 8 am. The process will be undertaken by the National Assembly's Appointment Committee, chaired by Speaker Wetang'ula.

Kithure Kindiki, Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee, will be the first to be vetted on August 1 as he appears before the committee on appointments at 8 am, followed by Debra Mlongo (Health) at 10  am.

Also to be vetted on day one are Alice Wahome (Lands), Julius Ogamba (Education), and Soipan Tuya (Defence).

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and Azimio La Umoja Leader Raila Odinga consult each other at a past press briefing. (Photo: ODM)

On the second day August 2, 2024, the committee will vet Andrew Mwihia (Agriculture), Aden Duale (Environment),  Eric Muuga (Water),  Davis Chirchir (Transport) and Margaret Ndung'u (ICT)

On August 3, 2024,  John Mbadi (Treasury), Salim Mvurya ( Trade), Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Opiyo Wandayi ( Energy) and  Kipchumba Murkomen ( Sports) will appear before the committee.

On the fourth and last day August 4, 2024, the committee will vet Hassan Joho ( Mining), Alfred Mutua (Labour), Wycliffe Oparanya (MSMEs), Justin Muturi (Public Service) and Stela Soi (Gender).

Kenyans have until August 1, 2024, to give their views on the nominated CSs before the vetting exercise starts.

While addressing the house, Speaker Wetang'ula said the Committee of Appointments is expected to immediately notify the nominees and the general public, commence the necessary approval hearings, and table its report in the House within 28 days.

"It is therefore imperative that the Committee on Appointments consolidate the names contained in the two lists and immediately commence the process of consideration of the nominees," he added.

President Ruto named 20 nominees to his cabinet, leaving out the Attorney General position and the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development.

The opposition also received their slice of cake in the Kenya Kwanza government, where four ODM members were nominated to President Ruto's Cabinet as part of his broad-based government approach.

They include nominated MP John Mbadi, Ugunja MP and minority leader James Opiyo Wandayi, former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

Ruto's announcement of the ODM members throws the opposition into disarray, despite past fervent statements that they were not desperate to join the Kenya Kwanza administration.