Senate committee rejects Bill seeking to abolish vetting deadline, termed it ‘mischievous’
Ojienda says people will end up being nominated for posts without being vetted to ascertain whether they are eligible for appointment
The Senate Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee has rejected a legislative proposal seeking to abolish the 28-day timeline within which Parliament must vet nominees for public appointments.
Chaired by its Vice Chairperson Veronica Maina, the committee rejected the proposed amendments through a bill by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni, which sought to repeal key provisions in the current law, including the set timeline for vetting, the deemed approval clause upon lapse of time, and the extension of vetting period by the National Assembly.
According to Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, the amendments by Omogeni can only work in countries that have political responsibility, like the US and South Africa, hence his rejection of the proposal.
According to Ojienda, people will end up being nominated for posts without being vetted to ascertain whether they are eligible for appointment.
“I reject this proposal. This works in the USA and South Africa because they have political responsibility, something that we lack here. Depending on the perceived affiliation of a nominee, they may not be vetted. And we don’t want a situation where people are appointed without vetting,” Ojienda stated.
On his part, Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo echoed the concerns, stating that the proposal by Omogeni is mischievous.
“This proposal is mischievous. Even the Supreme Court has timelines. Without vetting, a nominee is straightaway appointed at the lapse of the time, and we don’t want such a situation. Indeed, Senate should be involved in vetting, not the National Assembly alone,” he said.
Maina emphasised that the set timelines are constitutional and need to be safeguarded.
“Timelines are everywhere in our Constitution. To remove the timeline in this is ill-informed,” she said.
The committee has resolved to reject the proposal and will submit its comments to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi by the stipulated deadline of the end of this month, as required under Standing Order 130.
