Details have emerged on why the National Assembly Committee on Appointments declined to approve Stella Lang’at as Gender and Culture Cabinet Secretary.
Lang’at was the only CS nominee rejected by the committee chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, while 19 others were approved.
On Wednesday, the House agreed with the committee’s recommendation to reject Lang’at.
Those approved were all sworn into office at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday.
While tabling the report, National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah told the MPs that the nominee was rejected for her lack of grasp on gender and culture issues.
“The nominee failed to demonstrate adequate knowledge of topical administrative and technical issues touching on the Ministry of Gender Culture, Arts and Heritage,” Ichung’wah explained.
However, it has emerged that Lang’at’s rejection had nothing to do with incompetence but with behind-the-scenes political horse-trading that finally saw her sacrificed.
Two highly placed sources within the Kenya Kwanza administration confirmed that Lang’at's rejection was to give room for an ODM nominee.
“It was Baba (Raila Odinga) who insisted that he was under pressure to get one more CS slot to ensure regional balance following tensions in his party," a senior UDA politician confided in the Star.
Another source who was part of the vetting panel told the Star that “all was well until it became clear that one slot was needed to remain vacant".
“These positions are very political and they are usually not pegged on competence alone but other factors outside the MPs purview,’’ he said.
The Star has established that a demand by Raila for an additional CS slot at the last minute turned the tables against the career administrator.
It is understood that the Azimio boss has been under pressure from his troops to get at least six Cabinet positions as part of the ODM share of the Kenya Kwanza government.
As it stands, Raila’s ODM has six slots held by his lieutenants who he described as "experts" the party released to help stabilise the government after a wave of protests.
These are John Mbadi (National Treasury); Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum); Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and SMEs); Hassan Joho (Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs) and Beatrice Askul (East African Community).
Mbadi and Wandayi hail from Luo Nyanza while Joho and Oparanya come from the Coast and Western Kenya regions respectively. Askul hails from Turkana county.
However, Raila has come under pressure from his support bases of Kisii, Coast, Ukambani and parts of North Eastern for 'ignoring' them in the share of the ODM slots in Cabinet.
However, ODM members are still expected to be considered for senior government positions including principal secretary once President William Ruto makes changes to the cadre.
There are reports that the deal between Ruto and Raila also includes the sharing of ambassadorial and parastatal jobs in the Government of National Unity.
On Lang'at, besides the lack of requisite technical knowledge to lead the Gender Ministry, the Committee on Appointments found fault in her previous work experience.
According to Ichung’wah, she transitioned into various roles within a short time in jobs that do not require any long-term strategic planning.
“The committee did note that the nominee’s experience in the Public Service was marked by very frequent job transitions in various roles. All the six different postings that the nominee has held do not require any long-term strategic planning,” Ichung’wah explained.
Ironically, some of the ministries Lang’at has served in include the State Department of Public Service and the Labour Department.
She was also part of the team that established the State Department of Gender in 2004.
While appearing before the committee, Lang’at who sdaid her net worth stands at Sh70 million, told MPs that her 29 years in public service would be crucial in helping her serve in the Gender docket.
She majorly highlighted plans to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM) and teen marriages.
“So, to address the challenges of FGM and early marriages, we need to address poverty in our communities by empowering men and women and more the men,” Lang’at stated.
Critics have rubbished the rejection of Lang’at arguing that she has the requisite experience for the CS position.
While rejecting the committee report on Lang’at, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma described Lang’at as a competent administrator who has risen up the ranks within the public service.
“Give this woman this job and she will deliver, she is highly competent,’’ argued Kaluma.
Lang'at hails from Sotik subcounty in Bomet.
She is the current Director of Administration in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination and National Government.
She previously worked in the State Department of Housing and Urban Planning.
Lang'at was also the county secretary at the county government of Bomet between April, 2020, to October, 2021.
Before her appointment to the position, she was the senior deputy county commissioner II in charge of the Nyando subcounty in 2019.
Between March, 2015, to February, 2019, she served as the deputy commissioner for Bomet East, Sameta and Mwingi subcounties.