MPs to decide fate of Ruto Cabinet nominees today

Members of Parliament, who are on a two-month recess, will today attend a special sitting to consider President Williams Ruto’s nominees for three Cabinet slots.
The legislators will review Committee on Appointments’ reports on the three nominees who are set to join Ruto’s broad-based government.
The three nominees are Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), William Kabogo (ICT), and Lee Kinyanjui (Trade).
These individuals are seen as allies of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, raising interest and debate in Parliament as the legislators prepare to scrutinise their suitability for the roles.
The Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, met on Wednesday afternoon to finalize its report on the three nominees.
The speaker directed the lawmakers to gather at the chamber at 3 PM to discuss the report and make a conclusion.
“I invite you tomorrow to be in this chamber at exactly 3 pm so that we look at the (draft) and make our conclusions, whereas we wait for a special sitting,” the speaker said.
The lawmakers will debate on the report which they’ll either approve, amend or reject.
If the nominees are approved, their names will be sent to President Ruto for formal appointment and swearing-in.
If the House rejects any of the nominees, the Speaker will inform the President, who will then submit alternative names for consideration.
Further, the MPs will also review reports on nominees for the Public Service Commission (PSC) and individuals nominated for diplomatic posts.
President Ruto has nominated Mary Kimonye for vice-chairperson of the PSC.
Other PSC nominees include former IEBC commissioner Boya Molu, Harun Maalim, Mwanamaka Amani, Francis Meja, Irene Asienga, Joan Andisi, and Francis Owino.
They appeared before the National Assembly’s Labour Committee chaired by Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba for approval hearings.
MPs will also consider reports on ambassador nominees, including Ababu Namwamba for the United Nations office in Nairobi, Andrew Karanja for Brazil, and Noor Gabow for Haiti.
The Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, led by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, vetted these nominees.
Former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura declined her nomination to represent Kenya in Accra, Ghana.
In a letter to the National Assembly clerk, Nyambura cited personal and compelling reasons for her decision.
“I would like to give appreciation for the invitation to appear before the committee on January 10, 2025. Under section 6 (10) of the public appointment, Parliamentary Approval Act of 2011, I wish to inform you that I will not appear before the said committee at the time and venue for the approval hearing,” She stated.
The Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations has approved the appointments of three nominees for key diplomatic roles.
Wetang’ula confirmed that the nominees had been thoroughly vetted based on their academic qualifications, professional experience, and integrity.