National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments has recommended the nomination of Mutahi Kagwe, William Kabogo and Lee Kinyanjui.
In a motion by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah on Thursday, the Committee recommended to the house to approve the three nominees during today’s special sitting.
The three are Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture and Livestock Development), William Kabogo (Information Communication and Technology, ICT) and Lee Kinyanjui (Trade and Investment).
The committee is chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
The report will today be debated in Parliament and the names sent to the President if MPs approve it.
The three nominees – allies of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta - were nominated by the President on December 19, 2024, as part of Ruto’s commitment to institute an all-inclusive government.
During his vetting, Kagwe affirmed that Kenyans will not be used as Guinea pigs by outside forces for scientific research.
He said that under his leadership, the ministry will not approve any foreign products for consumption in Kenya if they are not being consumed in the countries of origin.
“Under my leadership and if I am approved by Parliament, there will be a rule of thumb that whether GMO, pesticide, or fertiliser, if that product is not being used in its country of origin, it will not be used in Kenya,’’ Kagwe said.
On his side, Kabogo told MPs that he is banking on his track record during his reign as the Kiambu Governor to initiate transformative policies in the Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy.
Kabogo was appearing before the Committee on Appointments of the National Assembly for vetting following his nomination to take over the docket left vacant following the exit of immediate former ICT CS, Margaret Ndung’u.
In his preamble before committee members started shooting questions, Kabogo, who previously also served as Juja MP, said the digital space was not a new thing to him “and that gives me a head start”.
“Why I think this is a good job for me is that I managed while at Kiambu to digitise the entire revenue collection in Kiambu county,” Kabogo said.
Trade Cabinet Secretary nominee Lee Kinyanjui had dismissed claims he carted Nakuru street children to Embobut Forest.
The former governor, when facing MPs vetting him for the post-President William Ruto appointed him to, said the allegation was peddled by his rivals.
The question emerged when Lee appeared before the Speaker Moses Wetang'ula-led Committee on Appointments.
It was alleged that the nominee when serving as Nakuru governor, pushed the urchins away to clean the city.
"Did you dump Nakuru City street children in Embobut Forest?" It was alleged that some were never found," Wetang'ula said.
The former governor, in his defence, said the assertions were by his political rivals.
"I have my conscience right and I cannot do that. Those who were making the claims have never said even one name," Kinyanjui said.
The National Assembly’s Labour Committee also approved President William Ruto’s nominees to the Public Service Commission.
In a report tabled in Parliament, the Committee chaired by Runyenjes MP Eric Karrmba urged the house to approve all the nominees.
Ruto had nominated Mary Kimonye for the vice-chairperson of PSC while former IEBC commissioner Boya Molu, Harun Maalim, Mwanamaka Amani, Francis Meja, Irene Asienga, Joan Andisi and Francis Owino were nominated as members of the Commission.
“Having conducted the approval hearings pursuant to Articles 118(1), 124(4) and 233 of the constitution, the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act; Cap.7F, Public Service Commission Act, Cap.185 and Standing Order 216(5) (f), the committee recommends that the house approves the appointment of the vice chairperson Mary Kimonye and members of the PSC, ” the report reads.
The house will this afternoon debate the names and if approved will be submitted to the President for appointment.
