Parliament has sent a notice to members of the public to seek their views concerning the nominated Director General for Health Patrick Amoth.

In the notice, the National Assembly and the Senate invited the public to submit written affidavits challenging the suitability of Amoth to hold the position of Director General for Health.

Amoth was nominated by the Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakhumicha and is required to be vetted by a joint committee for health from the two legislative houses.

“Following receipt of the nomination, the speakers of the houses of Parliament referred the matter to the National Assembly departmental committee on health and the Senate standing committee on health for joint consideration,” a statement from Parliament read.

The public submissions should be delivered to the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly and the office of the Clerk of the Senate or sent by email before July 19, 2024, at 5 pm.

On July 2, 2024, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula acknowledged receipt of the nomination of Amoth by CS Nakhumicha and directed MPs to prepare for the vetting.

“Honourable Members, you may wish to note that the approval of the appointment of a Director-General of Health is among one of the exceptions where the applicable law prescribes approval by the two Houses of Parliament,” Wetang’ula noted in a statement.

Wetang’ula said the joint quorum of the vetting committee will be dictated by the respective quorums of the two houses of legislation as dictated by their respective standing orders.

He observed that the vetting should be conducted within 28 days after Parliament resumes sessions.

“Therefore, the Departmental Committee on Health shall submit their joint report on or before Tuesday, 13th August 2024 to enable the House to consider the proposed appointment,” Wetang’ula added.

Amoth’s track-record

Amoth has been the acting Director General for Health for four years since he was appointed by former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

He holds the position of President of the World Health Organization (WHO) executive board based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Amoth is an obstetrician and gynaecologist who began his career in 2001 at the Kiambu District Hospital and rose through the ranks to become the government’s chief technical advisor on health matters.

He shot to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic where he was seen giving daily updates on the measures the government was taking to contain the virus.

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