LIVE BLOG: Vetting of Cabinet Secretary nominees

Kindiki was the first CS nominee to be vetted.

In Summary
  • Interior CS nominee Kithure Kindiki is first to be vetted by the committe on appointments.
Nominee for Lands and settlement Cabinet Secretary Alice Muthoni Wahome answers questions during her vetting in Parliament on August 1, 2024
Nominee for Lands and settlement Cabinet Secretary Alice Muthoni Wahome answers questions during her vetting in Parliament on August 1, 2024
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

The vetting of Cabinet Secretary nominees has taken off at Parliament.

Interior CS nominee Kithure Kindiki was the first to be vetted by the committee on appointments.

The CS arrived at the Mini Chamber  County Hall, Parliament Buildings minutes before 8 am.

The vetting was scheduled at 8 am, however, it was delayed and it started way past 8:30 am.

Kindiki's Vetting

What is it that you will do differently? Why Do you think you are suitable? - Junet Mohamed

I am suitable for reappointment because, during those 21 months, I have been able to keep the country fairly safe, especially in the fight against terror. Previously we had an escalation of terror and in the past two years, we have had stability.

I believe I am suitable because the crime of banditry has been reduced in my estimation by 75 per cent. I have visited all 47 counties, some numerous times.

Could you highlight for us some of the police reforms you undertook during your just-ended tenure as CS for Interior? ~ Gladys Shollei

Interior CS nominee Kithure Kindiki when he appeared before the National Assembly committee for vetting on Thursday,August 1, 2024.
Interior CS nominee Kithure Kindiki when he appeared before the National Assembly committee for vetting on Thursday,August 1, 2024.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

We've rolled out a massive Police Equipment Modernization Programme which will be rolled out in five years. We were able to convince the government and the Treasury to allocate Sh7 billion which has already been spent to buy air and land assets. 

You have seen in the recent past a lot of confrontations between the police and the public, and it is my view that principally why this is so is because you have failed to designate picketing corners and Kenyans imagine you can picket anywhere. What do you intend to do to ensure there are no more confrontations? ~ Kimani Ichung'wah

It is true there's work that needs to be done to ensure that the people of Kenya enjoy their constitutional right and freedom to assemble, picket and demonstrate while at the same time maintaining public order. 

On Shakahola Tragedy, What do you intend to do to secure our country from such cases? - Kimani Ichung'wah

The Shakahola incident will remain the most tragic security breach in the history of our country. The public officials including security officers, who were in charge must have their day in being made accountable

On Abductions and Extra-Judicial Killings

During my tenure, I made it clear to the police that abductions and extra-judicial killings are against government policy and the Constitution. In the event there are reported infractions and excess, IPOA and other accountability measures must be put in place.

On Relationship between IPOA and National Police Service

The relationship between IPOA and the National Police Service is an ongoing conversation. Going forward, we will support IPOA in terms of more resources, and more capacity but also brokering the institutional goodwill between themselves and the police.

Health cabinet secretary nominee Debra Mulongo Barasa answers questions during her vetting in parliament on August.1st.2024/EZEKIEL AMING'A
Health cabinet secretary nominee Debra Mulongo Barasa answers questions during her vetting in parliament on August.1st.2024/EZEKIEL AMING'A

Health CS Nominee Deborah Mulongo

Health CS Nominee Deborah Mulongo Barasa was second to be vetted by the Appointments Committee of the National Assembly.

How will you deal with the doctors' strike?

I believe that the long-term solutions are with us. We need to work together with the unions, doctors themselves, the interns, the bodies among other stakeholders to come up with a solution.

On Why she did not renew her practising licence.

I am a qualified doctor. My registration A6275. I have been in clinical practice from 2007 to 2020 compliant to license renewal. In 2020 I joined WHO which is part of the UN. It is an International Independent entity with no affiliation to any member state.

I was an international civil servant offering services to 22 countries in East and Southern Africa and the 47 member states also supported in the Afro region so my work and my capacity was at an international level as a policy adviser giving strategic direction and technical advice to various countries in the afro-region.

On Linda Mama Programme 

I am a beneficiary of Linda Mama. My daughter is a beneficiary of Linda Mama and so I'm an advocate of it and I will make sure it is incorporated if SHIF is rolled out.

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