By ALLAN KISIA
Members of the National Assembly came to the rescue of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism nominee Phyllis Kandie, who had been rejected by the Committee on Appointments during vetting.
Ms Kandie was the only nominee whose suitability was questioned, with the other 15 sailing through Parliament without opposition.
A majority of pro-Government MPs argued there were no sufficient reasons given why the committee found Kandie unfit for the job.
Leader of Majority Aden Duale had tabled a report in the House for approval of the names, but Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh moved an amendment to include Kandie in the list.
In her argument, Shebesh said the committee interviewed the nominees instead of vetting them. “The work of the committee is to vet nominees,” she reiterated.
She claimed the committee wanted to look tough in its work and thus had to reject one nominee to appear competent. “The reasons given for rejecting the nominee don’t fit the criteria given. I am begging the House to include her name in the list. She has been humiliated enough and she is so stressed right now,” pleaded Shebesh.
Duale, however, noted all nominees were tax compliant and those who benefitted from Higher Education Loans Board had cleared their loans.
Leader of Minority Francis Nyenze said the vetting was fair, but urged the House to reject Kandie.
Duale said yesterday was a happy day for him because Parliament and Kenyans had a role to play on who sits in the Cabinet.
However, Suba MP John Mbadi asked House Speaker Justin Muturi to compel the Leader of Majority to give good reasons why they rejected Kandie.
Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter contradicted Duale’s position and accused him of misleading the House on Kandie’s qualifications.
“It was wrong for Duale to say Kandie was not qualified for the position yet on the other hand state she had no integrity problems and was academically qualified,” said Keter.
Jakoyo Midiwo, a member of the vetting committee, told the House they rejected Kandie because she did not understand what she would do with the ministry.
“It is her knowledge of the subject that failed her. Kenyans were following the vetting and they sent messages saying that docket will have problems,” he added.
Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire said the committee rejected Kandie because of the way she answered questions.
