‘You failed in communication’- MPs pin down Trade CS nominee Salim Mvurya

Trade Cabinet Secretary nominee Salim Mvurya has been cornered by Members of Parliament (MP) sitting in the Committee on Appointments over his tenure at the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy before being dismissed by President William Ruto.

Mvurya who was appearing before the committee on Saturday, August 3, 2024, was pressured to explain why most of his achievements in the Mining sector were barely known by Kenyans.

Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei was the first member of the Committee on Appointments to question Mvurya and wondered whether it is true that the former CS failed to communicate policies and achievements in his previous docket.

“Mvurya, now it confirms what the President said that you had very poor communication because you have done great things but no Kenyan knows about it,” Shollei posed.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah supported the narrative and asked Mvurya if he would fail to communicate if approved to lead the Trade Ministry.

Hon. Gladys Shollei: Hon Mvurya, now it confirms what the President said that you had very poor communication because you have done great things but no Kenyan knows about it.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/cYYXwnEVlB

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 3, 2024

“We had very good proposals and I agree with the Deputy Speaker that you failed in communication. Because all the goods things you have talked about in your former Ministry of Mining even the Deputy Speaker did not know.

“So I actually put to you, did you fail in communication?” Ichung’wah posed.

Mvurya’s response

In his response, the nominee told the MPs that he majorly used the mainstream media in communicating some of the key policies, investments and achievements in the Mining and Blue Economy Ministry.

However, Mvurya vowed to implement new measures and adopt more communication channels.

“On the issue of communication, I want to say that we did our best to communicate through the media and other forms, however, going forward, it is a matter that we will be able to strengthen.”

Salim Mvurya: On the issue of communication, I want to say that we did our best to communicate through the media and other forms, however, going forward, it is a matter that we will be able to strengthen. #K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/szbN0xjCBs

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 3, 2024

Further, he denied reports that he was a desk minister during his tenure at the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy.

MP David Pkosing: Hon Mvurya, many Kenyans say you are a desk minister, are you still going to run this ministry from a desk in minerals?

Salim Mvurya: I want to confirm that I am not a desk minister, we need to acknowledge that our country is very big, you cannot be there at… pic.twitter.com/EwuO2XAhCl

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 3, 2024