Parliament approves Joseph ole Lenku, Kazungu Kambi as Cabinet Secretaries

By Allan Kisia

Nairobi, Kenya: Parliament has approved the nomination of Joseph ole Lenku and Samuel Kazungu Kambi as Cabinet Secretaries.

Members of the National Assembly unanimously approved the two names, effectively completing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s 18-member Cabinet.

The Parliamentary Committee on Appointments had tabled a report in the morning asking the House to approve the names.

The mover of the Motion, Leader of Minority Francis Nyenze said members of the committee unanimously resolved that the two nominees are suitable for their respective jobs.

Lenku was Kenyatta’s nominee for the powerful Interior and Coordination of National Government docket while Kambi was the Labour and Social Welfare nominee.

Lenku will oversee the National Government’s presence in counties, Internal State functions and disaster management as well as numerous other commissions, immigration, registration, refugees and several parastatals.

In his address, Nyenze said Parliament had matured since the Leader of Minority can now move such a Motion.

“I believe in six months or one year, we will not be debating matters along party lines,” he stated.

Office conflict

Leader of Majority Aden Duale said Lenku’s first assignment should be to bring an amendment to the House to distinguish the duties and roles of the Inspector General and National Police Service Commission.

He said the law should be amended to end conflict involving the two offices.

Dagorreti North MP Simba Arati however opposed the Motion arguing that Lenku was not qualified for the job.

“We cannot have a conductor jumping onto a pilot seat. We will have failed completely,” he explained.

However, most members thanked the President for picking Lenku saying he is the right man for the job.

The report said members examined academic qualifications, employment record, professional affiliation, potential conflict of interest, tax compliance, knowledge of the relevant subject and overall suitability for the position.

It said Lenku managed to transform Utalii Hotel which was dependant on Government funding to a profitable venture.

“He chaired a team that developed a partnership between Kenya Utalii College and the Kenya Commercial Bank. He was also responsible for hospitality operations at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies,” he said.

The report further noted that Lenku has never been charged in a court of law, has no potential conflict of interest and has fully complied with his tax obligation.

Development

It said Kambi served as an MP for Kaloleni for five years during which he oversaw major development milestones in the constituency.

It noted that Kambi also served as an assistant minister in the ministry of Medical Services and represented the country in various capacities both nationally and internationally.

“During his tenure as assistant minister, he facilitated the delivery of government services and addressed issues of concern in the ministry,” it added.

The report further noted that Kambi has never been charged in a court of law, has no potential conflict of interest and has also fully complied with his tax obligation.

“He has never been dismissed from office for contravention of the provisions of Article 75 of the Constitution which deals with the conduct of State officers that are adversely mentioned in any investigatory report of Parliament or any Commission of Inquiry,” it added.

Lenku will assume office at a time when police reforms have stalled due to a turf war between the National Police Service Commission and Inspector General of Police, David Kimaiyo.

In his Madaraka Day speech, President Uhuru Kenyatta urged Parliament to speed up the vetting of Lenku following increased cases of insecurity across the country.

The President said security was crucial in attracting investment, lowering the cost of doing business and providing Kenyans with a more secure living and working environment.