Uhuru submits Cabinet nominees list to MPs

By Allan Kisia

The list of nominees for Cabinet Secretary positions is before Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee for vetting before the successful candidates are formally appointed.

House Speaker Justin Muturi yesterday said President Uhuru Kenyatta had submitted the list of 16 nominees to the House. He was quick to point out the vetting process must be concluded within 14 days.

“Nominees and the public should be notified of the time and place for holding approval hearings, at least seven days prior to the hearings. In order to manage our time optimally, the notification should therefore be made tomorrow (today),” he stated.

He noted the vetting will be open to public unless the committee wants to hold some parts in camera. He directed the committee to meet yesterday at 4.30pm to chart the way forward. The Speaker said the committee should table its report on the floor of the House on May 14. However, a section of MPs said the submission of the list was overdue since the Government has been in place for a while.

Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’ censured President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto for allegedly saying they were waiting for the House to constitute the committees before naming the nominees.

The nominees will appear before the committee in accordance with Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011 Act. The vetting will focus on candidates’ academic credentials, professional training and experience, personal integrity and background.

The committee is mandated to determine the time and place for the holding of the approval hearing and shall inform the Clerk, who will notify the candidates of the time and venue. The committee will notify the public of the time and place.

Any person may, prior to the approval hearing, and by written statement on oath, provide the Clerk with evidence contesting the suitability of a candidate to hold the office to which the candidate has been nominated. The committee has power to summon any person to appear before it for the purpose of giving evidence or providing information during approval hearing.

At the conclusion of an approval hearing, the committee will prepare its report on the suitability of the candidate to be appointed to the office to which the candidate has been nominated, and shall include in the report, such recommendations as it may consider necessary.