National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula has issued an update as the vetting of President William Ruto’s cabinet nominees reached the homestretch on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
In a statement on Saturday, August 3, 2024, Wetang’ula assured Kenyans that the final recommendations would uphold the highest standards of integrity.
“The Committee remains committed to ensuring that the final recommendations uphold the highest standards of integrity and competence. Thank you for your continued support and engagement in this crucial process. We reconvene tomorrow to continue with the fourth and final day of the first batch of the Cabinet Nominees vetting process,” Wetang’ula said.
The speaker also commended the twenty-member committee for their dedication and impartiality during the exercise while encouraging them to turn up for the final day.
Wetang’ula assures Kenyans
Wetang’ula indicated that the vetting process had given members of the committee a chance to scrutinise and assess the candidates’ qualifications, experience, and capacity and review suitability in line with their vision for their respective roles.
Throughout the vetting process, the committee members have put to task nominees to elaborate the understanding of their mandates in the various positions that they were seeking to be confirmed for appointment.
On Saturday, August 3, 2024, Wetang’ula noted that 15 cabinet nominees had been vetted and that the remaining five would face the panel on Sunday.
Among the cabinet nominees vetted on Saturday were Treasury CS nominee John Mbadi, Tourism CS nominee Rebecca Miano, Energy CS nominee Opiyo Wandayi, Sports & Youth CS nominee Kipchumba Murkomen and Trade CS nominee Salim Mvurya.
The cabinet secretaries expected to be vetted on Sunday, August 4, 2024, are Ali Hassan Joho who was nominated as the CS for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, he will be followed by former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua at 10 am. Mutua makes a cabinet comeback after being nominated to serve in the Labour and Social Protection docket.
Other nominees set to be vetted today are former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya- Co-operatives & Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development (12 pm), former Attorney General Justin Bedan Njoka Muturi for the position of CS Public Service and Human Capital Development (3 pm) and Stella Soi Lang’at – CS nominee for Gender Culture, The Arts & Heritage (5 pm).
What next after vetting?
According to the constitution, the cabinet involves the president, deputy president, attorney general and the cabinet members (between 18 and 22).
After the vetting process, the committee is expected to table a report on each nominee, recommending their approval or rejection based on their assessments of their qualification and suitability for their roles.
Thereafter, the approved CSs take an oath of office, pledging allegiance to the people of Kenya, the country and the constitution.
