Jubilee dominates vetting team

The Jubilee Coalition on Tuesday extended its dominance of the National Assembly to the membership of the committee that will vet nominees to the Cabinet.

The nominees named by President Kenyatta will be scrutinised by the committee chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly before they can be appointed.

Jubilee has 16 MPs on the 28-member Committee on Appointments while the Coalition on Reforms and Democracy has 10. It has one Independent member.
The Deputy Speaker and the leaders of the Majority and Minority parties and their deputies are also members.

As he tabled the list, Majority Leader Aden Duale said the membership was decided after consultations between the House Business Committee and the leadership of the various political parties in Parliament.

The team was formed based on party proportionality. A 20 per cent gender threshold for women MPs was also observed in line with recent discussions at the Safari Park Hotel and in Parliamentary sittings last week.

The committee is formed in line with Article 152 of the Constitution which mandates the President to name his Cabinet Secretaries and for Parliament to approve the names.

Bishop Robert Mutemi (Nominated, Wiper), however, criticised the membership, saying it was discriminative of MPs with physical disabilities.

He said the House was setting a dangerous trend, leaving out those with disabilities in the committees that have been formed so far.

Moving the motion for the team’s approval, Mr Duale said it will pave the way for the speedy appointment of cabinet secretaries. “The appointment is of crucial importance to the nation,” he said.

Recycling leaders

Supporting the names, Dr Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren, Ford Kenya) said the team should have been formed already. Members supporting the names urged the team to ensure integrity and give Kenya the best.

Maj-Gen Joseph Nkaissery, a member of the team, asked the President to avoid recycling leaders and to come up with fresh faces for his Cabinet.

Mr Tom Kajwang’ (Ruaraka, ODM) argued that the motion for the approval of the team was in violation of the House rules as it was time-barred. He argued that the Majority Leader had delayed presenting the names and failed to observe the seven-day deadline.

But Mr Duale clarified that the seven days were counted from the State Opening of Parliament last week which makes Tuesday the last day.

Mr Antony Ichung’wah (Kikuyu, TNA) urged the team to observe regional balance and meritocracy of office holders when vetting names proposed to the Cabinet.

He said Kiambu County should not be ignored in consideration of the posts “just because the President comes from there”.

Mr Mithika Linturi (Igembe South, TNA) said the team should move with speed and conclude its task, noting that the House was already behind schedule in its calendar.

He said the constitutional timeline for presentation of budget proposals must be met.

Ms Zainab Chidzuga (Kwale County Women Representative, Cord) said the President should not appoint poll losers.

The committee will become dormant after vetting the Cabinet Secretaries. According to Mr Duale, it will then have to wait until a time when there will be a Cabinet reshuffle.

The committee

1. Justin B. Muturi, Speaker

2.  Joyce Laboso, Deputy Speaker

3.  Aden Duale, Majority Leader

4. Francis Nyenze, Minority Leader

5. Naomi Shaban, Deputy Majority Leader

6. Jakoyo Midiwo, Deputy Minority Leader

7. Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South, URP)

8. Issac Ali Shaban (Lafey, URP)

9. Roselinda Soipan (Narok Women Rep, URP)

10.  Katoo Ole Metito (Kajiado South, TNA)

11.  Jamleck Kamau (Kigumo, TNA)

12.  Amina Abdallah (Nominated, TNA)

13. Gideon Konchellah (Kilgoris, URP)

14.  Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes, TNA)

15. Moses Cheboi (Kuresoi North, KANU)

16. Nelson Gaichuhie (Subukia, TNA)

17. Boniface Gatobu (Buuri, Independent)

18. David Wafula (Saboti, New Ford-Kenya)

19. Esther Murugi (Nyeri Town, TNA)

20. Ibrahim Sane (Garsen, URP)

21. Mishi Juma Khamis (Mombasa Women Rep, ODM)

22. Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango, ODM)

23. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery (Kajiado Central, ODM)

24. Abbas Ahmed Ibrahim (Ijara, ODM)

25. Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu, (Kiminini, Ford-Kenya)

26. Maj. (Rtd) Marcus Muluvi Mutua, (Kitui East, Wiper)

27. Stephen Mutinda Mule, (Matungulu, Wiper)

28. Ken Obura, (Kisumu Central, ODM)