MPs approve appointment of Ruto's CS nominees

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangúla

The National Assembly has approved the appointment of President William Ruto nominees to Cabinet.

In December, President 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 MPs voted by way of acclamation to approve a report by the Committee on Appointments, which had recommended that the House approve the appointment of the three as CSs.

”Taking into consideration the findings of the Committee on Appointment in its Four Report on vetting of nominees for appointment as CSs laid on the table on January 16, 2025," Speaker Moses Wetangula said.

"Pursuant to provision of Articles 152(2) of the Constitution and Section 3 and 8 of Public Appointment Parliamentary Approval; Act Cap 7(F), this House approves the following as Cabinet Secretaries: Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture and Livestock Development), William Kabogo (Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy), and Lee Kinyanjui (Investments, Trade and Industry)."

The nominees appeared before the Committee led by Speaker 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.