Cabinet Secretary nominees Charles Keter, Dan Kazungu resign after House approval

Two Cabinet secretary nominees quit Parliament on Wednesday after they were approved to serve in the Executive arm of government.

Kericho Senator Charles Keter resigned from the Senate an hour after the National Assembly approved his nomination to the Cabinet.

Malindi MP Dan Kazungu followed suit, resigning from the House after his colleagues gave him the green light to serve in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Cabinet.

Mr Keter is expected to be appointed Energy and Petroleum CS while Mr Kazungu will be the new Mining minister.

The two were in the precincts of Parliament when the debate to approve them was going on and were seen rushing their resignation letters to their respective House Speakers moments after their approval.

“Following the decision of H.E the President to appoint me as a Cabinet Secretary, the subsequent approval of the nomination by the National Assembly and in conformity with the provisions of Article 152 (3) of the Constitution, I write pursuant to the provisions of Article 103 (1) (d) of the Constitution to tender my resignation as a Member of Parliament (Senator for Kericho County),” said Mr Keter.

The Constitution bars a Member of Parliament from serving in any other capacity.

PROCEDURAL HITCH

“My resignation is informed by the decision of H.E the President to appoint me as a Cabinet Secretary, subsequent consideration by the National Assembly and conformity with the provisions of Article 152 (3) of the Constitution,” said Mr Kazungu.

They are expected to be sworn in any time and will join Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery as 11th Parliament lawmakers who quit to join the Executive.

Last evening, Mr Keter was barred by Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura from thanking his colleagues on the floor of the House because of a procedural hitch.

Mr Gitura said the standing orders did not allow prosecution of business not indicated in the gazette notice inviting members for a special sitting like Wednesday's.

However, rising on a point of order, Mr Keter thanked fellow senators, saying he had worked well with them and looked forward to serving the nation in the new capacity.

“I want to thank all of you for the wonderful time we have had here. I have been of Parliament since 2002 with Dr (Boni) Khalwale and we have served the people well. It is now time to serve the nation in the new role,” he said.