Bomet Assembly finally approves Trade CEC nominee

Governor Joyce Laboso nominees for the docket citing lack of technical knowledge to head the department.[File]

Members of Bomet County Assembly have approved the nomination of Juliah Chepkuto to fill the Trade, Investment, Industry and Tourism docket which has been vacant for the last two years.

The MCAs had initially thrown out two nominees fronted by Governor Joyce Laboso for the docket citing lack of  technical knowledge to head the department.

Governor Laboso was forced to appoint her Deputy Dr Hillary Barchok in an acting capacity after her attempts to fill the position were rejected by the Assembly.

While debating the Committee on Appointments’ report that recommended the approval of Mrs Chepkuto, MCAs unanimously agreed to approve her nomination.

Leading the push for her nomination, Leader of Majority Josphat Kirui said despite Mrs Chepkuto being an educationist, she had displayed good leadership during her vetting.

“Mr Speaker, the nominee should be approved. I have confidence as she has already displayed to this House that she will steer the department in the right direction,” said Kirui.

She said it was also an opportunity for the people of Bomet East to get their slot at the County Cabinet.

Kirui defended the Assembly’s earlier decision to reject two nominees saying it had nothing to do with political witch hunt.

Deputy leader of Majority Josea Chepkwony supported the nomination saying it was long overdue so that the electorate can be served.

 “We want to see the department and the sector at large grow like other sectors now that we have the right person for the job,” said Chepkwony.

Assembly deputy speaker and Chepchabas MCA Vincent Kiprotich said it was no longer about the skills one has, but the leadership ability.

“The position of a CEC is basically to show leadership as a policymaker and nothing to do with technical knowledge and this is the time to fill the position which has remained vacant for long,” said Kiprotich.

He said people with good leadership skills perform better than those with technical knowledge.

“Lets us give her a chance to prove herself,” the deputy speaker said.

Chepkuto an educationist hails from Bomet East and has been elected as Kenya National Union of Teachers Branch Executive member twice.

Patricia Lasoi a planning expert and Janet Chepkirui an accountant were turned down by the assembly for the docket last year.

Embomos MCA Robert Serbai, however, poked holes into the nomination of Chepkuto saying it was a mistake.

"It was wrong and we should have stood and demanded a person with knowledge and skills required in the docket rather than one who has leadership experience,” said Serbai.