President William Ruto’s nominees to the broad-based Cabinet will be sworn into office today, the Star can report.
The 19 nominees – according to sources – will take oath of office this morning at State House.
On Wednesday, MPs at the National Assembly approved their nomination except for Stella Langat who was nominated to the Gender docket.
“The nominee failed to demonstrate adequate knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on the Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage,” the committee said.
“The nominee is unsuitable for the position to which she was nominated as she was unable to respond in a satisfactory manner to the queries raised during the approval hearing,” the report reads.
The Appointments Committee chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said Langat lacked requisite abilities and qualities for the demanding docket.
This means the President will have to send another name to Parliament for consideration.
Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah clarified that her rejection was not an indictment of her capability or competence to perform other responsibilities.
“It is only her suitability to hold the position of a Cabinet Secretary for Gender,” the Kikuyu MP said.
The President has the prerogative to nominate her for any other position other than she had been nominated for.
Ruto may also nominate another person from the region, area or village with the requisite experience to serve in the office, he added.
Minority whip Junet Mohammed echoed Ichung’wah's sentiments.
“When we say as a committee that someone is not suitable for this job, we are not imputing any improper motive on that person. We are just saying that the person is not suitable for this job. They can do another job elsewhere,” Junet said.
Even so, MPs endorsed the rest of the nominees paving the way for their swearing in.
The nominees "demonstrated knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on the portfolios to which they had been nominated".
They had the requisite abilities, academic qualifications and professional experience to be approved for appointment, the report stated.
Sources indicated that preparations started immediately after the vote, ahead of the ceremony which would be a culmination of the approval process.
Those set to take oath include Aden Duale (Environment), Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Alice Wahome (Lands), Alfred Mutua (Labour), Salim Mvurya (Trade), Justin Muturi (Public Service), Soipan Tuya (Defence) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports).
Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport) Rebecca Miano (Wildlife and Tourism), Debra Barasa (Health), Migosi Ogamba (Education), Andrew Mwihia (Agriculture and Livestock Development) and Eric Muuga (Water, Sanitation and Irrigation) also got the nod.
Others were Margaret Nyambura (Information, Communication and Digital Economy), John Mbadi (National Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Hassan Joho (Mining) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives).
A section of Wiper MPs backed the appointments albeit amid grumbles over lack of regional representation and diversity.
MP Suzanne Ndunge said, “President Ruto's new Cabinet nominees are more of political manipulation than what Kenyans are looking for.”
Kitui Central lawmaker Makali Mulu shared similar sentiments, ostensibly following the advisory of their party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who urged them to reject the team.
But Dadaab MP Farah Maalim urged his colleagues to allow the President work with the team.
“Let's give this Cabinet space, let's support them. Let's support our President in this case because this country has got to be kept together. Those who are running around with all these demonstrations and the rest, I have seen what a failed state is like,” he said.
Sirisia MP John Waluke lauded the appointments.
"I want to thank the President for the appointment. It is a national outlook because every side of the country, at least one person is chosen," Waluke said.
Also satisfied with the appointments was Nominated MP Irene Mayaka.
"For this particular nominees, we just want to let them know that, yes, some of them have been given a second chance against what the public really wished and we want them to make sure that they do a good job."