MPs have until November 26 to vet Ruto's nominees to various commissions

The National Assembly has until November 26, 2024, to vet nominees to critical roles in three constitutional commissions and two state offices, following a series of nominations by President William Ruto.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, in his communication on Wednesday, said that committees must review and report on the nominees within the stipulated timeframe.

Wetang'ula detailed five messages from President Ruto concerning 21 nominees to positions in the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), and the Central Bank of Kenya.

"Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42(1), I wish to report to the House that I have received five messages from His Excellency the President relating to the nomination of persons to various positions," he told the lawmakers.

Among the prominent nominations, Ahmed Issack Hassan was proposed as chairperson of IPOA, alongside seven others nominated for membership in the authority including Ann Wanjiku Mwangi, Micah Onyiego Nyakego, Boniface Kipkemoi Samati, Annette Mbogoh, John Muchiri Nyaga, Ken Williams Nyakomitah, and Jackline Lukalo Mwenesi.

The President also nominated Charles Orinda Dulo as chairperson of the Commission on Administrative Justice, with former Starehe MP Charles Njagua Kanyi and Dorothy Jemator Kimengech named as members.

For the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, President Ruto selected Sammy Chepkwony as chairperson, with several representatives from key sectors nominated to support the commission's mandate in regulating public service salaries and benefits.

These include Jane Gatakaa Njage from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Martin Kizito Ong'oyi from the Defence Council, Mohamed Aden Abdi representing the Senate and county governments, Gilda Odera from the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), Geoffrey Apollo Omondi from the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), and Leonid Ashindu from the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA).

Former Isiolo Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa and Michael Mbithuka Nzomo were nominated as Chairperson and member, respectively, of the National Gender and Equality Commission, per Article 250 of the Constitution and Section 11(6) of the National Gender and Equality Commission Act, 2012.

In a final nomination message, Gerald Nyaoma Arita was named as the proposed deputy governor of the Central Bank of Kenya.

Speaker Wetang'ula referred the President's nominations, along with supporting documentation, to the respective departmental committees, which will hold hearings with each nominee.

The IPOA nominees will appear before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, while nominees for the Commission on Administrative Justice will meet with the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

Nominees for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission will go before the Labour Committee, and those nominated for the National Gender and Equality Commission will appear before the Social Protection Committee.

Gerald Nyaoma, nominated for Central Bank deputy governor, will face a joint session of the National Assembly's Finance and National Planning Committee and the Senate's Finance and Budget Committee.