Rarieda constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Otiende Amollo on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, raised concerns after Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development & Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary nominee Geoffrey Ruku joined the MPs in the National Assembly when they were debating his approval.

Otiende, who rose on a point of order, questioned the timelines an MP should resign if he/she gets appointed as a CS.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker argued that Article 152 (iii) of the Constitution states that a Cabinet Secretary shall not be a Member of Parliament.

“Article 152(iii) is very clear: a Cabinet Secretary shall not be a Member of Parliament. I need your directions on at what point a member of this house appointed to be in the cabinet should resign,” the lawmaker said.

Otiende on Ruku’s presence in parliament

Otiende further argued that Ruku had brought into sharp focus the distinction between Parliament and the Executive by going to the National Assembly and letting the whole world see that he was part of the house that was debating his approval.

“Because that point is made acute by Hon. Geoffrey Ruku today. I think he should not have come to the house, but by coming to the house and letting the whole world see that he is part of the house that is debating his approval, it brings into sharp focus the distinction between Parliament and the Executive,” Otiende said.

National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah had moved a motion on the consideration of Ruku (Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development & Special Programmes) and Hanna Wendot Cheptumo (Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage) for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries.

The motion was seconded by National Assembly Minority Leader and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.

Ruku’s nomination

Ruku was picked by President William Ruto to replace former Attorney General Justin Muturi, who had fallen out with the head of state over his stance on abductions and extrajudicial killings.

In 2022, Ruku ran for the parliamentary seat on the Justin Muturi-led Democratic Party (DP) ticket, securing his first term.

After his election in 2022, in Parliament, he became one of the Kenya Kwanza government’s fiercest defenders, absorbing criticism and championing Ruto’s policies with unmatched zeal. This earned him a nomination to the Cabinet, and should the National Assembly approve him, he will be sworn in, paving the way for a by-election in Mbeere North.