Lame duck: MPs clear Cheptumo, Ruku for Cabinet amid outrage

Geoffrey Ruku and Hanna Cheptumo approved for the positions of Cabinet Secretaries, [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Parliament is once again in the spotlight due to accusations that it has become an extension of the executive branch. A majority of Kenyans now claim that the legislature has been captured. This time, the approval of two cabinet nominees by President William Ruto has brought the National Assembly into the limelight. Despite perceived dismal performances during the vetting process, MPs in their characteristic fashion, went ahead and approved Geoffrey Ruku and Hanna Cheptumo for the positions of Cabinet Secretaries, sparking outrage among Kenyans. Ironically, the approval of the duo went on despite most members raising concerns about their weaknesses during the vetting process in what was largely viewed as having failed to impress. Citizens also criticised the vetting process, arguing that the broad-based government has effectively reduced the National Assembly to a "notice board and a rubber stamp." On Tuesday, when parliament gave the nod for Ruku to be picked as the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, and Hanna Cheptumo for the Ministry of Gender and Culture, Kenyans exploded on the internet. The move raised concerns among Kenyans who were closely following the events in the National Assembly. Ruku, when serving as the MP for Mbeere North, advocated for two controversial amendments in Parliament that unsettled many citizens. Ruku is remembered for his controversial proposals in the amendment of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, and formulating an anti-demonstration law that would have forced organizers of protests to pay for damages caused by protestors. In his amendment to the anti-graft law, Ruku wanted to alter the tendering process, deleting two key corruption offences that exist to protect public funds from embezzlement and to enforce accountability among the public officials involved in the administration of public resources. Although he dropped the anti-demonstration bill, and his amendment to the anti-graft law strongly opposed by key institutions, including parliament, Ruku is widely viewed as anti-progress. Cheptumo's approval has particularly rattled the nation due to her controversial remarks during her vetting on April 14, 2025, regarding the rising cases of femicide. She claimed that a lack of economic empowerment for women is a leading cause of violence against uneducated women who lack financial independence. "If girls had economic power, they would not depend on either gender. If a woman is educated, the chances are that she will avoid some of these challenges in society," Cheptumo stated. Kenyans have found her remarks not only insensitive but fundamentally misguided. Amnesty Kenya criticized her statement, emphasizing that femicide is a crime and should not be viewed as a result of unfortunate circumstances. The organization stated, "Suggesting that girls need economic power to avoid femicide shifts the blame from perpetrators to the victims. Femicide is a crime and must be treated as such." They also pointed to Articles 26 and 27 of Kenya's Constitution, which guarantee the right to life and emphasize non-discrimination, arguing that blaming victims for violence disregards these rights. On social media, many Kenyans expressed their disapproval of Cheptumo's remarks, asserting that she is unfit for the position. "What was going on in Hanna Cheptumo's mind when she responded to that question? How did we even nominate her? Her thought process seems primitive," commented Cynthia Mwangi on Facebook. Another user remarked, "Kenyan women are achieving great things for women and children in this country and abroad. There are better candidates for this position, but we're being subjected to such nonsense because of political alignments." Even as members of parliament approved her nomination, there was criticism of her statements, yet they failed to reject her. Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss Shollei addressed the National Assembly, calling on Cheptumo to apologize upon assuming office. "I want to go on record to support her candidature and approval, but we request that she apologizes to the women of Kenya. That was a very careless statement. There is nothing wrong with making a mistake," Shollei said. She added "but you can correct it with an apology. She should issue a public apology on social media, in local newspapers, or via a press statement. That is the minimum we expect." Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap also took issue with Cheptumo's remarks but chose to apologise on her behalf, emphasizing her ties to his constituency. "I want to apologize on her behalf. Please show her favor and forgive her. What she said was wrong, and I hope it won't happen again," he stated. Despite lawmakers expressing their concerns, they ultimately approved her nomination. During her vetting, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula pointed out that many women killed in Airbnbs were university students, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of the issue. Cheptumo, however, doubled down, suggesting that these educated women were in search of money. "They are educated, but those are the ones looking for money. You know a girl has many needs," she stated. In response, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko raised a point of order, asserting that such comments imply victim-blaming. "It is inappropriate to claim that those girls are looking for money, and that is why they are brutally murdered," she said. "Many other women have been murdered under different circumstances, so it is very wrong to suggest that those whose bodies were dismembered and found were doing so for financial gain." Kimani Ichung'wah, the National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP, also issued an apology on her behalf regarding the controversial remarks as he presented the motion seeking approval for her nomination and that of Ruku. As he presented the motion seeking members' approval for the nomination of Cheptumo and Ruku, he stated that he had spoken to the nominee and received her apologies regarding the previous remark. Cheptumo was nominated on March 26 by President Ruto. She is the widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, who passed away in February. During his vetting, Ruku defended his move to amend the anti-graft law, arguing that excessive funds were being allocated to the administration of justice. His proposed amendments faced strong opposition from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Transparency International Kenya, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Director of Public Prosecutions. Additionally, during his vetting, Ruku defended his Assembly and Demonstration Bill of 2024, which had sparked widespread criticism and protests last year. "There is a serious need for this society to be well regulated in terms of demonstrations, picketing, and presentation of petitions to public institutions. They need to be done in recognition of the rights enshrined in the constitution. Then we do it in a more disciplined manner," he told Kenyans during the formative stages of the bill. One of the key proposals of the bill was to make the organizers or conveners of demonstrations to be held liable for the riots damages, as joint wrongdoers together with any person who unlawfully caused or contributed to such riot damages and any other organization or person who is liable. "We have seen violent demonstrations in the past, people have lost their lives, people have lost their properties, and none is held liable," he defended the bill. He eventually withdrew the amendments aimed at tightening regulations on public demonstrations across Kenya. In his defense, he stated that the Assembly and Demonstration Bill did not restrict rights but instead sought to protect the rights of individuals who choose not to participate in demonstrations or picketing. Ruku is now set to hold a cabinet position, and there are concerns among Kenyans that he may use this position to push for punitive laws. Gitile Naituli, a professor of Management and Leadership, says parliament has been captured by the executive and that Kenyans should not have expected much from the members. "The 13th parliament is an appendage of the executive. Kenyans should stop expecting much from MPs. Ruto has exploited the MPs to do executive bidding," he said.

Lame duck: MPs clear Cheptumo, Ruku for Cabinet amid outrage

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