The National Assembly has announced the schedule for vetting President William Ruto's Cabinet nominees. The vetting process will occur over four days, starting Thursday, August 1, 2024, and concluding Sunday, August 4, 2024, with at least five nominees being vetted each day.
According to a notice issued by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, the vetting aligns with Article 152 (2) of the Constitution, section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap. 7F, and Standing Order 45(3). The Committee on Appointments will conduct the vetting sessions.
This schedule follows a communication from National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who received a list of 10 additional nominees from President Ruto for consideration as Cabinet Secretaries. The vetting will take place at the Mini-Chamber, County Hall, Parliament Buildings, starting at 8 am each day, under the oversight of the Speaker, who chairs the Committee on Appointments.
The vetting will begin on August 1, with Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Kithure Kindiki at 8 am, followed by Debra Mlongo (Health) at 10 am, Alice Wahome (Lands) at 12 pm, Migos Ogamba (Education) at 3 pm, and Soipan Tuya (Defence) at 5 pm. On August 2, nominees Andrew Mwihia (Agriculture) at 8 am, Aden Duale (Environment) at 10 am, Eric Muuga (Water), Davis Chirchir (Transport), and Margaret Ndung’u (ICT) will be vetted.
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The vetting continues on August 3 with John Mbadi (Treasury), Salim Mvurya (Trade), Rebecca Miano (Tourism) at 12 pm, Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) at 3 pm, and Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports) at 5 pm. On August 4, the nominees to be vetted include Hassan Joho (Mining) at 8 am, Alfred Mutua (Labour) at 10 am, Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) at 12 pm, Justin Muturi (Public Service) at 3 pm, and Stella Lang’at (Gender) at 5 pm.
Kenyans have until August 1, 2024, to submit their views on the nominated Cabinet Secretaries before the vetting begins. The clerk reminded the nominees to bring their original documents, including academic and professional certificates, for the vetting process. Nominees must also present their original identity cards, compliance or clearance letters/certificates from the EACC, KRA, HELB, DCI, and CRB.
As of Wednesday, President Ruto had nominated 20 individuals for his Cabinet, with the Attorney General position and the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development still vacant. After dissolving most of his Cabinet, except for the Prime Cabinet Secretary position, Ruto expressed his intent to form a broad-based government representing Kenya's diverse population. This approach included appointing four opposition politicians in his latest Cabinet selections.
