Committee approves nomination of Kagwe, Kinyanjui and Kabogo as CSs

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangúla as he chaired approval hearings of CS nominees/HANDOUT

The National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments has approved the nomination of Mutahi Kagwe, William Kabogo and Lee Kinyanjui as Cabinet Secretaries (CSs).

President William Ruto nominated Kagwe, Kinyanjui, and Kabogo for appointments as CSs for Agriculture and Livestock Development; Investments, Trade and Industry; and Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy, respectively.

The nominees appeared before the Committee led by Speaker Moses Wetangúla on January 14, 2025, for approval hearings.

“The committee considered the constitutional and statutory requirements relating to the offices in question and the suitability of the nominees for the proposed appointments, having regard to whether the nominees' abilities, experience, and qualities met the needs of the Ministry in question,” a report of the committee said.

The report added that members of the committee further examined the nominees' academic credentials, relevant professional training, and experience.

“The committee observed that the nominees demonstrated knowledge of topical, administrative, and technical issues touching on the portfolios to which they had been nominated and have the requisite abilities, academic qualifications, and professional experience to be approved for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries,” the report stated.

The report recommended that the House approve the appointment of the three as CSs.

The committee appreciated the Commission on University Education, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Higher Education Loans Board, Kenya Revenue Authority, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of Registrar of Political Parties and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for providing references and background checks relating to the suitability of the nominees.

“The Committee acknowledges the members of the public who actively participated in the vetting process, followed the proceedings through various media outlets and shared thoughtful comments that enriched the vetting process,” the report added.

It noted that the Clerk of the National Assembly placed advertisements in the print media on inviting the public to submit memoranda by way of written statements on oath (affidavit) on the suitability of each of the nominees.

It further noted that by the close of the submission deadline, the committee had received a total of 16 memoranda from the public.