We will be fair, objective in vetting CS nominees, Wetangula pledges

The Committee on Appointments Chairperson Moses Wetangula has assured Kenyans that the Committee shall thoroughly scrutinize each submission made concerning the nominees for various Cabinet secretary positions.

During the approval hearings, Wetangula who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly reiterated that the Committee shall consider the suitability of each nominee for the appointment proposed, having regard to whether the nominee’s abilities, experience, and qualities meet the needs of the body to which nomination is being made.

“The Committee shall consider the candidate’s academic credentials, professional training and experience, personal integrity and background of each nominee,” he said as the vetting exercise kicked off Thursday morning with Prof Kithure Kindiki fielding questions from the lawmakers.

He said Kenyans contesting nominees to various cabinet positions have already shared their concerns with the committee and their misgivings will be given consideration based on their merit.

“As at this morning, the Committee has received a mixed basket of over 1300 submissions. 187 of these submissions are in the form of the affidavits. The rest of the submissions either generally oppose the appointment of one or more nominees; are repetitions; are filed in support of the nominees; or are unrelated to the exercise,” he said

“The Committee has also received queries from the public on whether it will be conducting the approval hearings for all nominees, including the nominees who have been re-appointed to the Cabinet,” he added

Wetangula noted that even the Courts have ruled that nominee vetting is a serious and mandatory constitutional process that must be complied with even in cases of re-appointment.

“Precedent and practice in previous Parliaments and comparative jurisdictions also uphold the cardinal rule on the mandatory nature of parliamentary approval even in cases of reappointment to constitutional offices,” he said.

According to Wetangula, while the Constitution confers upon the President the power to nominate and with the approval of the National Assembly appoint Cabinet Secretaries, the determination of the question of whether such a nominee is suitable for re-appointment rests solely with the National Assembly.

“The Committee on Appointments shall conduct the approval hearings guided by the Constitution, the Act and all other relevant laws,” he said

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