I will not replace rejected Cabinet nominees, Rasanga tells MCAs

A confrontation is looming between Governor Cornel Rasanga and ward representatives who rejected his county cabinet list last week.

A defiant Mr Rasanga vowed that he would return the same list to the assembly’s appointment committee, saying he saw no reason why it was rejected.

Rasanga said he had no new names to appoint to the slots.

The assembly rejected nine out of ten nominees in the list, claiming their nomination did not respect the County Government Act.

The assembly only approved one nominee, Ms Mary Omondi, who was proposed for the Education docket but who will now have to wait for the appointment of the other nominees.

But speaking in Siaya town during a visit to the Bunge la Wananchi (People’s Parliament), the governor defended his nominees, saying they were experienced and would deliver services to the people.

Rasanga claimed he had consulted the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, which advised him to return the rejected list to the assembly.

“The law is clear on the requirements and most of my nominees had what it takes. I chose them because I am sure they will help me deliver to the people, it is the major reason I sacked my previous Executive, “he added.

Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi backed Rasanga's list, accusing MCAs of frustrating the Governor's development agenda and going against the will of ODM party on whose ticket they won their seats.

Professional cabinet

In Nakuru, Governor Lee Kinyanjui has sent home all ten county executives who served in his predecessor’s government

In the list of nominees he submitted to the assembly yesterday, Mr Kinyanjui seemed to have settled for experience and professionalism in his cabinet rather than political affiliation and cronyism.

Top on the list of Kinyanjui’s nominees was former Chief of Staff Raymond Komen, nominated to head the Education, Information Communications Technologies (ICT) and E- Government docket.

Others include former Britam CEO Joseph Wainaina Kiuna (Finance), Jonah Wanjari Mwangi (Health) and former Kenya Rural Roads Authority General Manager Peter Evans Kiplang’at (Trade)

Governor Kinyanjui has also picked three women; Lucy Wanjiku Kariuki (Health), Immaculate Njuthe (Agriculture) and Halima Gababa Abdullahi (Youth and culture).

Other nominees are Lawrence Mwangangi Mwania (Infrastructure) Engineer Festus Kipkoech Nge’no (Water).

Speaker Joel Kairù directed that the list be committed to the committee on appointment for the vetting process to commence next week.