NAIROBI, Kenya-National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has directed house committees to commence the vetting process for 14 Principal Secretary nominees forwarded by President William Ruto, with strict instructions that reports must be tabled by April 22.
This follows a resolution passed by the House on February 13, allowing the Speaker to refer executive appointments to relevant committees during recess.
Wetangula emphasized that the approval process will be guided by the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act.
“The President’s Message, alongside the nominees’ credentials and supporting documents, has been referred to the relevant committees for consideration,” Wetangula stated. The vetting process will begin on Friday, April 4, 2025.
On the opening day, Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim, nominated for the State Department for National Government Coordination, will be the first to face scrutiny before the Committee on Administration and Internal Security.
Simultaneously, Mr. Stephen Isaboke, tapped for the State Department for Broadcasting & Telecommunications, will appear before the Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation.
Elsewhere, the Committee on Finance and National Planning will have a packed schedule as it grills Cyrell Odede Wagunda (Public Investments & Assets Management) and Bonface Makokha (Economic Planning).
Over at the Committee on Education, Abdulrazak Shaukat will present his case for heading the State Department for Science, Research & Innovation.
The vetting of Oluga Fredrick Ouma (Medical Services) will be overseen by the Committee on Health, while Jane Kere Imbunya (Public Service & Human Capital Development) will face the Committee on Labour.
The Committee on Regional Development will examine Michael Lenasalon, nominated for State Department for Devolution, while the Committee on Social Protection will evaluate Carren Ageng’o Achieng (Children Welfare Services) and Mr. Fikirini Katoi Kahindi Jacobs (Youth Affairs).
The process will continue into the following week, with Caroline Wanjiru Karugu (East African Community Affairs) appearing before the Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations on Monday, April 7.
On the same day, Judith Nayaiai Pareno, nominated for Justice, Human Rights & Constitutional Affairs, will face the Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.
Meanwhile, Ms. Regina Akoth Ombam, the nominee for State Department for Trade, is scheduled to appear before the Committee on Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives.
Aden Abdi Millah, nominated for Shipping & Maritime Affairs, will also be vetted, with the exact date yet to be confirmed.
Wetangula reminded the House that the vetting must be concluded within the 28-day legal timeframe to ensure the nominees are either approved or rejected within statutory deadlines.
“The committees are expected to immediately commence the approval process and table their reports by April 22, 2025, to allow the House to make a final decision,” Wetangula emphasized.
To facilitate a smooth process, the Clerk of the National Assembly has been instructed to notify all MPs and ensure committees are properly resourced for the hearings.
In keeping with Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution, Parliament has invited members of the public to submit written representations on the suitability of the nominees.
These submissions should be delivered to the Office of the Clerk at Parliament Buildings ahead of the respective interview dates.
