KENYA: Kenyan Parliament Schedules Vetting For President Ruto’s Cabinet And Diplomatic Picks

        By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

The Kenyan National Assembly has announced the dates for evaluating President William Ruto’s latest nominees for Cabinet Secretary positions, ambassadors, and key commission roles.

The hearings will occur between January 9 and January 14, 2025, at Parliament Buildings, County Hall, as confirmed by National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge.

The vetting process will include individuals nominated to head critical ministries, including Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), Lee Kinyanjui (Trade), and William Kabogo (Information Communication Technology ).

Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who leads the Committee on Appointments, will oversee the approval hearings alongside other parliamentary committees responsible for different areas.

Nominees for ambassadorial roles will also be reviewed, including former Information Communication Technology(ICT) Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, who has been proposed as High Commissioner to Ghana, and ex-Agriculture CS Andrew Karanja, nominated as Ambassador to Brazil.

Additionally, former ICT CS Ababu Namwamba has been selected as the Permanent Representative to United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and United Nations Office at Nairobi( UNON), while Noor Gabow is the choice for Consul-General in Haiti.

The vetting of Public Service Commission nominees will start on January 9, 2025, with Mary Wanjira Kimonye being considered for Vice-Chairperson.

Other nominees for membership roles include Harun Maalim Hassan, Mwanamaka Amani Mabruki, and Boya Molu, a former IEBC Commissioner.

In compliance with constitutional requirements, all nominees are expected to present original identity and academic documents and compliance certificates from relevant bodies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and Kenya Revenue Authority during their vetting sessions.

The public has been urged to submit their opinions or evidence regarding the nominees’ suitability by January 3, 2025. Submissions can be made via email, mail, or delivered in person to the Clerk’s Office at Parliament Buildings.

This vetting exercise underscores the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability in appointing individuals to critical government positions.

The process will determine whether President Ruto’s nominees meet the required integrity and competence standards to serve Kenyans effectively.