MPs will today cut short their long recess to consider amongst others reports on President William Ruto’s nominees.
The lawmakers who are on a two month recess, will consider committee reports on three Cabinet Secretaries nominees who are set to join the broad-based government.
The three are Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), William Kabogo (ICT) and Lee Kinyanjui (Trade).
The Committee on Appointments chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula met on Wednesday afternoon to finalise on the report of the three who are regarded as allies of the retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I invite you tomorrow (Wednesday) to be in this chamber at exactly 3pm so that we look at the report (draft report) and make our conclusions, whereas we wait for a special sitting (on Thursday),” Wetang’ula directed after approval hearing the CSs nominees.
Sources within the committee however told the Star in confidence that the three have been recommended for approval.
This means they are one step away from getting to the office. MPs will be debating the report and will either agree with the committee report or make amendments or reject the report.
If approved, the names will be submitted to the President for formal appointment and swearing in.
In case, the House rejects any of the names, the Speaker will notify the appointing authority who will then submit other names for considerations.
MPs will also consider reports on nominees to the Public Service Commission as well as individuals who were nominated to represent the country in various foreign countries.
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.
They appeared before the National Assembly’s Labour Committee for approval hearing on Wednesday last week.
The committee is chaired by Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba. MPs will also consider report on ambassadors nominee Ababu Namwamba (United Nations Office, Nairobi), Andrew Karanja (Brazil) and Noor Gabow (Haiti).
They were vetted by National Assembly’s Defence and Foreign relations Committee chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech. Former ICT cabinet secretary Margaret Nyambura declined her nomination to represent the country in Accra, Ghana.
In a letter to the Clerk, Nyambura cited personal and compelling reasons for her shock decision.
“I would like to give appreciation for the invitation to appear before the committee on January 10, 2025. Pursuant to section 6 ( 10 ) of the public appointment, parliamentary approval Act of 2011, I wish to inform you that I will not appear before the said committee at the time and venue for the approval hearing,” Nyambura said in the letter.
