Uhuru allies nominated as CSs to face National Assembly vetting panel today

Three Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominees Mutahi Kagwe, Lee Kinyanjui and William Kabogo will face a National Assembly vetting panel today (Tuesday, January 14).

Kagwe, the Agriculture and Livestock Development CS nominee, will be the first to face the panel starting 12:00 pm, at the Mini Chamber, 1st Floor, County Hall, Parliament Buildings.

ICT & Digital Economy CS nominee Kabogo will be the second to face the panel starting 3:00pm at the same venue, while Lee – the Investment, Trade and Industry CS nominee – will have his approval hearings at 5:00 pm.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula will lead the Committee on Appointments in the approval hearings before retreating to write the report and finally tabling it before a special sitting on Thursday.

MPs will vote on their suitability, which is set to pave the way for their formal appointment.

The three nominees’ appointment is expected to pacify the Mt Kenya region following the impeachment of Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The National Assembly Labour Committee Eric Muchangi-led committee will also table the report on the vetting of eight individuals to the Public Service Commission (PSC) in preparation for key vacancies expected in January and April 2025.

The House team conducted vetting last week to fill the vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chairperson and six other members.

President Ruto nominated former IEBC commissioner Boya Molu as a member of the Public Service Commission.

Molu was among the IEBC commissioners who stood with the former chairperson of the electoral agency Wafula Chebukati during the standoff over the 2022 presidential results.

The President also nominated former public service principal secretary Mary Kimonye as vice-chairperson of the commission and former NTSA boss Francis Meja as a member of the influential commission.

Others nominated to the commission are Harun Maalim Hassan, representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs); Mwanamaka Amani Mabruki, CBS; Irene Cherotich Asienga; Francis Otieno Owino and Joan Andisi Machayo.

Additionally, the committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech is scheduled to table a report on the vetting of nominees for ambassadorial, high commissioner, and diplomatic representative positions on Friday.

Among the nominees is Andrew Karanja, the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, who has been nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil.

Former CS Ababu Namwamba, the former Sports Cabinet Secretary, has been nominated as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi.

Former Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow, who was nominated as Consul-General to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.