Trade Cabinet Secretary nominee Salim Mvurya has strongly denied claims suggesting he was merely a ‘desk minister’ during his two-year reign at Blue Economy docket.
Pokot South MP David Pkosing raised the issue during the vetting process, suggesting that some Kenyans perceive Mvurya as having operated solely from his desk without substantial engagement.
"Many Kenyans say or think that you are a desk minister, you only sit at your desk and run your ministry from your desk. Some people don't know Mvurya, if you ask some, let's say people in West Pokot, they think you are a Governor somewhere," David said.
"Are you going to run your Ministry from the desk if approved?" he posed.
Mvurya however listed areas including West Pokot he visited as he acknowledged that country’s vast geography.
“I was in West Pokot because of the Sh45 billion linearization programme, and many other places across the country. I may have not come to your constituency but I can give examples here, many of them. I think we also need to acknowledge that our country is very big,” he said.
He also stated while he may have not visited most parts of the country, it was important to put structures in place first since the ministry was new before going out.
“…I have a lot of field information which I can give you here to confirm and I also want to say I will visit other parts Kenya,” he noted.
Mvurya was the second nominee to appear for vetting.
