National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has dismissed a request by lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui to cross-examine Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary nominee Mutahi Kagwe during his vetting. Kinyanjui, representing a client identified only as Aura, sought to directly interrogate the nominee, a move that Wetangula declared inconsistent with parliamentary approval laws.
Speaking at the vetting session, Wetangula clarified that the request contravened the Parliament Approval Act, which does not permit contesting parties to personally engage nominees. He cited Section 6 of the Act, emphasizing that the vetting process is an inquisitorial and not an adversarial procedure.
“My direction, honourable members, is that under the Parliament Approval Act, Section 6, there is no provision for any contesting party to appear before this committee to cross-examine any nominee,” Wetangula stated. He reiterated that any objections to a nominee must be submitted through sworn affidavits addressed to the Clerk of Parliament, a process already undertaken by Kinyanjui and his client.
Wetangula explained that such affidavits serve as the basis for the committee’s interrogation of nominees. “Whoever has issues with a nominee is required to submit an affidavit, as has been done in this case. The affidavit is then examined by the committee, and questions based on its content are put to the nominee,” he elaborated.
The Speaker further confirmed that Kagwe had responded to the affidavit, and his response was included in the records reviewed by the committee. He urged Kinyanjui and Aura to observe the vetting from the gallery, highlighting that cross-examinations do not align with the legal framework governing the process.
“This is not an adversarial proceeding or a trial; it is simply an inquisitorial process,” Wetangula added.
Kagwe, one of three new Cabinet Secretary nominees, appeared before the National Assembly for vetting on Tuesday. These appointments are seen as part of President William Ruto’s efforts to fulfill his administration’s promises to the Kenyan people.
