Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has addressed concerns over the vetting of Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) recently retained by President William Ruto. Speaking to the press on Monday, July 22, 2024, Wetang’ula announced that despite their previous presence in the cabinet, they will undergo fresh vetting procedures before assuming their duties again. “In law, these are totally fresh appointments; they will be vetted.” This comes amid public scrutiny regarding the reappointment of six CSs from the dissolved cabinet. According to Wetang’ula, the upcoming vetting process will involve public participation, inviting Kenyans to submit memoranda on the suitability of the 11 nominees. The Committee on Appointments, traditionally chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly, will oversee this process. “If I receive the communication tomorrow, we will publish the names as required under law. The public will be allowed to give views, send memoranda, and receive any accolades, and we will then set a date for the vetting,” Wetang’ula explained. Addressing the public’s opposition to the reappointment of the six CSs, Wetang’ula asserted that the six were dismissed without any allegations of wrongdoing. “If you read the law properly, persons who cannot occupy public offices are those who have been removed from office on account of a violation of Chapter 6 of the Constitution.” “If you read the law properly, persons who cannot occupy public offices are those who have been removed from office on account of a violation of Chapter 6 of the Constitution. The six were simply dismissed. There was no allegation of any wrongdoing against them,” he added.

Ruto’s new CSs

The President retained six of his initial 22 cabinet secretaries and introduced five new nominees for consideration and approval by the National Assembly. Among those returning are Kithure Kindiki, who will continue as CS for Interior and National Administration; Aden Duale, remaining in his role as Defence CS; and Alice Wahome, who will stay on as the CS for Lands, Public Works, Urban Development, and Housing. Also keeping their positions are Soipan Tuya, overseeing Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, and Davis Chirchir, who moved to the Roads and Transport docket. Rebecca Miano is nominated for the role of Attorney-General, a position she will take up after her previous role as Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industrialization. The new nominees include Debra Mulongo Barasa for Health, Julius Migosi Ogamba for Education, and Andrew Mwihia Karanja for Agriculture and Livestock Development. Additionally, Eric Muriithi Muga is nominated for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, while Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u has been nominated for the role of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy. For these and more credible stories, join our revamped Telegram and WhatsApp channels. Telegram: https://t.me/peopledailydigital WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va698juDOQIToHyu1p2z