The National Assembly of Kenya is set to embark on a crucial vetting exercise for President William Ruto’s 20 Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominees, a process that is anticipated to be both thorough and demanding. This exercise, which is scheduled to commence on Thursday, August 1, and conclude on Sunday, August 4, will be conducted by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments. The committee, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetangula and deputized by Gladys Boss, comprises prominent members such as Kimani Ichung’wah, David Gikaria, Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Mary Emaase, Rahim Dawood, Junet Mohammed, Caleb Amisi, Hon. Stephen Mule, Nelson Koech, Abdi Shurie, Naisula Lesuuda, David Pkosing, and Mishi Mboko. Additional members include Owen Baya, Robert Mbui, Rahab Mukami, Dido Raso, and George Murugara.
The vetting process will scrutinize each nominee’s qualifications, integrity, and suitability for the respective cabinet positions. The committee will conduct the vetting sessions in two-hour intervals starting at 8:00 AM each day, with five nominees scheduled for vetting per day.
Day-by-Day Vetting Schedule:
Thursday, August 1:
- 8:00 AM: Kithure Kindiki (Interior)
- 10:00 AM: Dr. Deborah Barasa (Health)
- 12:00 PM: Alice Wahome (Lands)
- 2:00 PM: Julius Ogamba (Education)
- 4:00 PM: Soipan Tuya (Defence)
Friday, August 2:
- 8:00 AM: Andrew Karanja (Agriculture)
- 10:00 AM: Aden Duale (Environment)
- 12:00 PM: Eric Muuga (Water)
- 2:00 PM: Davis Chirchir (Transport)
- 4:00 PM: Margaret Ndung’u (ICT)
Saturday, August 3:
- 8:00 AM: John Mbadi (Treasury)
- 10:00 AM: Salim Mvurya (Trade)
- 12:00 PM: Rebecca Miano (Tourism)
- 2:00 PM: Opiyo Wandayi (Energy)
- 4:00 PM: Kipchumba Murkomen
Sunday, August 4:
- 8:00 AM: Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy)
- 10:00 AM: Alfred Mutua (Labour)
- 12:00 PM: Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs)
- 2:00 PM: Justin Muturi (Public Service)
- 4:00 PM: Stella Lang’at (Gender)
However, the process faces potential hurdles as several petitions have been filed in court, challenging the suitability of certain nominees. Notably, the Executive Director of the Commission for Human Rights and Justice has filed a petition seeking to bar four ODM nominees—Ali Hassan Joho, Opiyo Wandayi, John Mbadi, and Wycliffe Oparanya—from holding office. The petitioner argues that their involvement would undermine the opposition’s critical role in providing government oversight.
The vetting of these four nominees, if halted, could impact President Ruto’s plan to swiftly establish his new cabinet. The petitioner contends that their participation in the government would destabilize the opposition, thereby affecting the checks and balances essential in a democratic setup.
The National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments is expected to navigate these legal challenges while ensuring a fair and transparent vetting process. Each nominee will be expected to demonstrate their competence, experience, and vision for their respective ministries, addressing concerns and answering questions posed by the MPs.
As the vetting exercise unfolds, the country will be closely watching to see how the nominees perform and whether the petitions will affect the final composition of President Ruto’s cabinet. This rigorous scrutiny underscores the importance of the vetting process in upholding the integrity and efficiency of the Kenyan government.
President Ruto’s administration aims to ensure that only the most qualified and ethical candidates are appointed to key government positions, reflecting his commitment to good governance and effective public service delivery. The outcome of this vetting process will significantly influence the direction and success of his government’s initiatives and policies in the coming years.
