As the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments prepares to vet President William Ruto's cabinet secretary nominees, all eyes are on the panel tasked with this crucial process.
The committee is set to embark on the rigorous four-day examination starting Thursday.
Pressure is already mounting on the committee to reject some nominees particularly those previously in the last cabinet, amid allegations of incompetence.
Kenyans will be closely watching to see if the members will uphold transparency and accountability.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed who is part of the panel said last week the nominees will be thoroughly vetted.
"This time and this period in Parliament, I want to tell members who are my colleagues that vetting is not going to be business as usual. This time, if somebody is not suitable, capable and doesn't have the capacity, we are going to throw them out. We must do justice to Kenyans. We must do our work properly this time," he said.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi echoed the sentiment assuring the Gen Zs "We shall vet these together. Am going to be very objective going forward."
The 20-member committee has released a schedule detailing the dates and times each of the 21 nominees is scheduled to appear.
At least four nominees are to be vetted each day.
The public has until Wednesday to submit any representations they may have regarding any of the nominees.
The committee is established under the provisions of Standing Order No. 204 and its chairperson is the Speaker Moses Wetangula.
Uasin Gishu Woman Representative and Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss, Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wah and his deputy Owen Baya are also members of the panel.
Leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi, his deputy Robert Mbui and not more than 22 other members nominated by the House Business Committee, on the basis of proportional party membership in the House taking into consideration the numerical strength of the parties and interests of independent members also forms the committee.
Wandayi, will, however not sit on the committee.
Others are Rahab Mukami (Nyeri woman rep), Dido Raso (Saku), George Murugara (Tharaka), Dabid Gikaria (Nakuru Town), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), Mary Emase (Teso South), Rahim Dawood (North Imenti), Nelson Koech (Belgut), David Pkosing (Pokot South), Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Stephen Mule (Matungulu), Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Naisula Lesuuda (Samburu woman rep), Junet Mohamed (Suna East) and Abdi Shurie (Balambala).
The vetting will take place at the Mini-Chamber, County Hall, Parliament Buildings from 8 am.
After the conclusion of the hearings, the committee will compile a report on each of the nominees.
The report which includes recommendations on either to adopt or reject is then tabled in the House for debate.
Parliament has 28 days from the date on which the notification of nomination was given to dispense the matter.
If by the lapse of this period, the House will not have approved or rejected a nomination of a candidate, then the candidate shall be deemed to have been approved.
Once approved, the names will be forwarded to the president for appointment.
If a nominee is rejected, the president is required to submit a new nominee.
Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Kithure Kindiki will be the first to face the vetting panel on August 1, at 8 am, followed by Debra Mlongo (Health) at 10 am, Alice Wahome of the Lands docket at 12 pm, Migos Ogamba (Education) at 3 pm and Soipan Tuya (Defence) 5 pm.
On August 2, the committee will vet nominees Andrew Mwihia (Agriculture) at 8 am, Aden Duale (Environment) at 10 am, Eric Muuga (Water) at 12 pm, Davis Chirchir (Transport) at 3 pm and Margaret Ndung’u (ICT) at 5 pm.
On August 3, John Mbadi (Treasury) at 8 am, Salim Mvurya (Trade) at 10 am, Rebecca Miano (Tourism) at 12 pm, Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) at 3 pm and Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports) will face the vetting committee at 5 pm.
On August 4, Hassan Joho (Mining) at 8 am, Alfred Mutua (Labour) at 10 am, Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives)at 12 pm, Justin Muturi (Public Service) at 3 pm and Stella Lang’at (Gender) will be vetted at 5 pm.