The National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments has officially recommended the nomination of three individuals for key Cabinet positions in President William Ruto’s government. The nominees include Mutahi Kagwe for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, William Kabogo for the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT), and Lee Kinyanjui for the Ministry of Trade and Investment. This recommendation follows a motion introduced by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah on Thursday, with the expectation that the House will approve these nominees during today’s special sitting.
The appointments are a significant part of President Ruto’s broader effort to establish an inclusive government, as all three nominees are closely allied with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. This move signals an attempt to foster unity across the political divide by incorporating leaders from the previous administration into key government roles. The recommendations will now be debated in Parliament, and if approved by Members of Parliament (MPs), the names will be forwarded to the President for formal appointment.
During the vetting process, each nominee presented their qualifications and shared their vision for the respective ministries they are set to lead. Mutahi Kagwe, nominated for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, emphasized his commitment to ensuring that foreign products are not approved for consumption in Kenya unless they are also approved in the country of origin. In particular, Kagwe expressed his firm stance on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, and fertilizers, asserting that any product not used in its country of origin would not be allowed in Kenya. This declaration aligns with his previous stance against the use of Kenyan citizens as “Guinea pigs” in scientific research.
William Kabogo, nominated to head the ICT ministry, drew from his previous experience as Kiambu County Governor. He highlighted his track record of digitizing revenue collection during his tenure and promised to leverage his knowledge of the digital space to advance transformative policies for the sector. Kabogo’s background in both the public and private sectors gives him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in ICT development in Kenya.
Meanwhile, Lee Kinyanjui, nominated for the Trade and Investment portfolio, faced questions regarding his tenure as the Governor of Nakuru, particularly about allegations that he had allegedly displaced street children to Embobut Forest. In his defense, Kinyanjui categorically denied these claims, dismissing them as politically motivated. He maintained that no one had provided evidence or named the supposed children involved in the incident.
In a related development, the National Assembly’s Labour Committee also approved the nomination of Mary Kimonye for Vice-Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and several other individuals for PSC membership. This includes former IEBC commissioner Boya Molu and other notable figures such as Harun Maalim, Mwanamaka Amani, and Francis Meja.
As Parliament debates these appointments today, all eyes are on the lawmakers who will determine whether President Ruto’s inclusive government vision will proceed or face resistance. If the House approves the nominations, the names will be forwarded to the President for formal appointments, marking the next phase in the formation of the current Cabinet.
