Kiambu County Assembly rejects William Kabogo nominees

By Eric Wainaina

Kiambu, Kenya: Kiambu Governor William Kabogo suffered a blow when the County Assembly rejected four of his Cabinet nominees.

The members also deleted three names from the County Service Board list.

In a report tabled in the House for approval by Majority leader Simon Komu Wednesday, members said the list did not meet the gender parity requirement and some of nominees were not from the county.

Rejected Cabinet nominees are Mary Nguli (Finance), Monica Mukami (Agriculture and Livestock), Esther Ndirangu (Education and Culture) and Eunice Kaloki (Planning).

And the names of Justine Kimani (chairman), Alexandria Muhinja (member) and Barham Dev Vasisht (member) were deleted from the approved list of the board members.

Limuru Central ward representative Njenga Murugami sought the amendment and got the members support.

Faulted

Mr Komu tabled a list of seven nominees (six women and a man) after the vetting committee merged the Public Works docket with that of Roads and Transport, kicking out Mr Ephantus Mbugua, an engineer.

“These people do not know the issues on the ground. We want someone who can identify himself or herself in this county,” Murugami told the assembly.

Kaloki and Nguli are from Kirinyaga and Makueni counties respectively.

The members faulted the Speaker Nick Wanjohi, accusing him of attempting to block them from debating the report.

Mr Kinuthia Mburuti from Komothai said Kiambu has educated men who were suitable for the jobs and questioned Kabogo’s decision to pick people from outside the county.

Dr John Mwangi (Health), Njeri Gatabaki (Roads and Transport), and Esther Wanjiru (Water and Natural Recourses) were approved.

While releasing the list, Kabogo said most men who applied for the jobs did not meet the requirements.

George Mathua moved the amendment to delete the three service board members.

Members argued that Mr Kimani, 67, is past the retirement age and should give an opportunity to younger people.

Muhinja was rejected because she is from Nakuru and resides in Nairobi. Members also claimed she had applied for a position in Nakuru County but was rejected.