MPs fault Cabinet list, claim it lacks regional balance

By PETER OPIYO

A section of MPs have faulted the list of nominees to Cabinet Secretary posts, claiming it is not regionally balanced.

They further added that it includes politicians of questionable character.

The legislators, who included 12 from the Maasai and Samburu communities and Deputy Minority leader in the National Assembly Jakoyo Midiwo, said the Assembly would reject the names unless President Uhuru Kenyatta revises the list.

The MP from the Maasai community led by Kajiado Central MP Joseph Nkaissery and his Kilgoris counterpart Gideon Konchella said they would mobilise colleagues to reject the names, saying their communities were given a raw deal.

Nkaissery said the list favours the Kikuyu (President’s community) and Deputy President William Ruto’s Kalenjin communities, saying it is a poor show after a divisive election.

The legislators also took issue with the nomination of politicians Najib Balala and Charity Ngilu, who unsuccessfully contested for the Senate position in Mombasa and Kitui counties.

“The community where the President comes from has four slots and that of the Deputy President has three. Where is the face of Kenya in this? They also told the country they will not bring politicians to the Cabinet yet brought the worst of politicians,” said Nkaissery.

Midiwo questioned the integrity of Ngilu, the Cabinet nominee for Lands, Housing and Urban Development slot, saying she has a pending case with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

“I am disappointed only a day after the President and his deputy promised they will give us a good Cabinet. They have brought us questionable politicians. We will get everything about them and we want the public to participate in their vetting,” Midiwo said at Parliament’s Media Centre.

He termed the list unconstitutional since it does not meet regional diversity and asked President Uhuru to revise it.

“I don’t think the Cabinet meets the constitutional requirement of regional balance. It is the wrong direction and shows insensitivity. They need to revise the list. If it is a Cabinet of two regions then the President is not willing to unite Kenya. This can’t be a community affair. It must be a national affair,” said the Gem representative.

“It is incumbent upon Uhuru to carry the country along, because the country is not peaceful, it is just calm,” he added.

Samburu East MP Raphael Letimalo and Konchella said it is necessary the country’s 42 tribes be represented in the appointments of the Cabinet secretaries and PS.

The names are now expected in the National Assembly for vetting before the President makes the formal appointments.

Nkaissery, who is a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments, said he would persuade other members to reject the list.