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The ball is now in the National Assembly’s court to decide whether acting Director General of Health Patrick Amoth will become the substantive holder of that office.

Amoth has been working in acting capacity for four years. On Wednesday evening, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha officially sought the approval of the House to appoint him.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula confirmed receiving the message from Nakhumicha.

“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,” Wetangula told lawmakers.

Wetangula noted that the vetting will be conducted jointly by the National Assembly’s Health Committee and its Senate counterpart.

He said that unless a decision is reached by consensus, any vote to be taken in the joint sittings of the committees will be by each House.

“This will ensure that the numerical difference of the individual members representing the Houses in the joint sittings has no effect on the decisions of the joint sittings of the committees,” he said.

However, Amoth, an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, is expected to be endorsed without much opposition. Wetangula hinted that the committees will submit their joint report on or before August 13 for consideration by the House.

The likely confirmation will conclude a protracted battle for the position, first established in 2017.

Amoth has held the role of acting director general for Health since January 2020, succeeding John Masasabi. His leadership was instrumental during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing crucial medical guidance.

In a show of unwavering support, Nakhumicha lauded Amoth last year, affirming: “With his extensive experience, Dr Amoth is the prime candidate for this role.”

Earlier this year, the Public Service Commission readvertised the director general position. In March, Nakhumicha noted that this would provide Amoth the opportunity to officially secure the position.