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Here is what you need to know to keep up to speed with today’s happenings.

CS nominees’ vetting

The National Assembly Committee on Appointments is set to conduct approval hearings for the three nominees proposed by President William Ruto for CS positions.

The hearings will take place at County Hall, Parliament Buildings.

Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge, in an announcement made on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, gave the timelines for all three CS nominees.

“Pursuant to Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and Section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the committees shall conduct approval hearings (vetting) of the nominees on the dates, times, and venues indicated in the schedule,” an announcement placed in the local dailies reads in part.

President Ruto, in his recent Cabinet changes, nominated Mutahi Kagwe, the former Health Cabinet Secretary under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, to head the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has been designated for the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, while former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has been proposed to lead the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry.

Kagwe is scheduled to appear before the Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, as the first nominee on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at noon.

Kabogo will take the stand at 3:00 p.m., followed by Lee Kinyanjui at 5:00 pm.

Pressure on Koome

A call for the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome from office alongside all the Supreme Court judges is expected to continue drawing mixed reactions.

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has sustained his onslaught on the Judiciary and is now calling for the removal of the CJ.

Havi filed a petition to the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) and urged the commission to compel Ruto to form a tribunal and begin the process of firing the seven, accusing them of gross misconduct.

According to Havi, there is reasonable apprehension in the legal fraternity and the general public that the recent practice of the Supreme Court of Kenya entertaining and determining appeals from the Court of Appeal on civil and commercial matters where colossal amounts of money are involved but which have no novel question of general public importance is motivated by corruption.

ADSW Summit

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025 is set to kick off today, Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

President Ruto left the country on Monday, January 13, 2025, for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the summit, with the opening ceremony set for today.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed announced Ruto’s departure, revealing that Ruto is scheduled to speak during the opening session of the summit.

“President William Ruto departs the country this evening to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit in the UAE, a high-level forum that convenes world leaders to advance the global sustainability agenda. The President is scheduled to speak during the opening session of the summit, whose theme is ‘Exploring the Global Energy Transition’,” Mohamed stated.

Ruto will also highlight Kenya’s leadership in renewable energy, particularly geothermal power, and identify opportunities for global partnerships to address energy challenges and foster green growth.

According to Mohamed, Ruto will also hold high-level bilateral discussions with key global leaders, including Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.