The countrywide tree planting initiative, in which Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) traversed the nation in helicopters, became a contentious issue during the vetting of Defence Cabinet Secretary nominee, Soipan Tuya. The exercise, initially aimed at enhancing environmental conservation, drew scrutiny over the apparent misuse of resources, especially when such tasks could have been more efficiently managed by local governors.
Soipan Tuya, who formerly served in the Environment docket, faced the Parliamentary Appointments Committee chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. The committee questioned the rationale behind the high expenditure on logistics for CSs’ travels during the tree planting campaign. Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda particularly pressed Tuya to justify the extensive movement of CSs across the 47 counties for an activity that governors could have potentially executed more cost-effectively.
“My role at the time was coordination,” Tuya explained. “The Ministry of Environment did not make any logistical provisions for Cabinet Secretaries to travel around the country in choppers. Each one of them made their own arrangements, and after concerns were raised at the Cabinet level, the exercise was given a grassroots approach.”
This explanation sought to clarify that the logistical expenditures were not centrally planned but rather individually managed by the CSs. Despite this, the issue underscored broader concerns about the allocation of resources and the prioritization of environmental initiatives at the grassroots level.
The vetting session also touched on other significant topics, particularly the nominee’s financial status and her plans for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Soipan Tuya disclosed that her net worth had risen to Sh243 million, a substantial increase from the Sh156 million she declared during her last vetting. She attributed this growth to the appreciation of her assets’ value.
However, the session’s focus soon shifted to the pressing issue of corruption within the KDF recruitment process. Pokot South MP David Pkosing raised concerns about the high costs prospective recruits were allegedly paying to secure KDF positions, amounts ranging between Sh600,000 and Sh1 million. This issue, he noted, was particularly significant in pastoralist communities, where military jobs are highly coveted.
Teso South MP Mary Emaase echoed these concerns, lamenting that recruitment had become a preserve for the wealthy, with many recruits facing dismissal on tenuous grounds. She pressed Tuya on what measures she would implement to rectify this troubling trend. Similarly, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko pointed out the inconsistencies in recruitment processes, questioning why some individuals receive state letters for direct entry into military colleges while others endure rigorous recruitment procedures.
In response, Soipan Tuya pledged to address these disparities and ensure that KDF recruitment reflects the diversity of all Kenyan communities. She committed to evaluating current recruitment procedures, identifying existing gaps, and conducting public sensitization to foster transparency and fairness. “I will ensure that recruitment to KDF reflects the diversity of all Kenyan communities and will take time to evaluate the KDF recruitment procedures, identify the gaps, and carry out public sensitisation,” she assured the committee.
As Tuya navigates the vetting process, her responses indicate a commitment to addressing both environmental and defense sector challenges. Her focus on equitable recruitment and resource allocation highlights the broader themes of transparency and efficiency that are crucial for the effective administration of these critical government functions.
