Silverio Omari
The National Assembly has announced a vetting process for the 20 Cabinet Secretary nominees designated for President William Ruto’s new cabinet. The nominees will be rigorously questioned by MPs to assess their suitability for the roles.
The vetting will take place from Thursday, August 1, to Sunday, August 4, conducted by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments. The committee will be chaired by Speaker Moses Wetangula, with Gladys Boss as the deputy chair. Other members include Kimani Ichung’wah, David Gikaria, Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Mary Emaase, Rahim Dawood, Junet Mohammed, Caleb Amisi, Stephen Mule, Nelson Koech, Abdi Shurie, Naisula Lesuuda, David Pkosing, and Mishi Mboko. Additionally, Owen Baya, Robert Mbui, Rahab Mukami, Dido Raso, and George Murugara will serve on the committee. Notably, Opiyo Wandayi, previously a member, will not participate due to his nomination to the Energy docket.
The vetting sessions will feature five nominees each day, with interviews scheduled every two hours starting at 8:00 am.
On Thursday, August 1, the vetting will begin with Kithure Kindiki (Interior) at 8:00 am, followed by Dr. Deborah Barasa (Health), Alice Wahome (Lands), Julius Ogamba (Education), and Soipan Tuya (Defence).
On Friday, August 2, the nominees to be vetted are Andrew Karanja (Agriculture), Aden Duale (Environment), Eric Muuga (Water), Davis Chirchir (Transport), and Margaret Ndung’u (ICT).
Saturday, August 3, will see John Mbadi (Treasury), Salim Mvurya (Trade), Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), and Kipchumba Murkomen undergo the vetting process.
The final day, Sunday, August 4, will feature Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Alfred Mutua (Labour), Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives and MSMEs), Justin Muturi (Public Service), and Stella Lang’at (Gender).
President Ruto’s efforts to rapidly form a new cabinet may face delays due to legal challenges. Recently, the Executive Director of the Commission for Human Rights and Justice filed a petition seeking to prevent the four ODM CS nominees—Joho, Wandayi, Mbadi, and Oparanya—from assuming office. The petitioner argues that their appointments could undermine the opposition’s role in government oversight and has requested a halt to their vetting process.
