Azimio MPs Reject Five Of Ruto's CS Nominees

The lawmakers argued that the five were not fit to hold key offices in the country, a move that threatens to derail President Ruto's administration.

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Oct 25, 2022 - 07:21
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Azimio MPs Reject Five Of Ruto's CS Nominees
President William Ruto giving his speech at State House on September 27, 2022. /WILLIAM RUTO

The National Assembly's Committee on Appointments led by Speaker Moses Wetangula is facing its first hurdle after Members of Parliament (MP) allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition rejected five of President William Ruto’s Cabinet nominees.

The lawmakers argued that the five were not fit to hold key offices in the country, a move that threatens to derail President Ruto's administration.

Among those whose futures now hang in the balance include Aisha Jumwa (Public Service), Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), Peninah Malonza (Tourism), Zacharia Njeru (Lands) and Njunguna Ndung'u (Treasury).

Their nominations could be hanging by a thread if the rise of splinter groups in the vetting committee spills over to the National Assembly which is set to debate on the list.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and his deputy, Gladys Shollei, during the vetting of Cabinet Secretary nominees on October 18, 2022. /NATIONAL ASSEMBLY KE

Sources within the coalition led by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, argued that the nominees are not suitable and that the President should look at other options for the Cabinet docket.

“These nominees are not suitable to serve in the positions we vetted them for. If the committee will not agree with our view, we shall definitely draft our minority report,” an Azimio member of the committee told the Nation.

A minority report or a dissenting opinion by committee members on a matter before them is provided for in the Standing Orders. It is basically a protest note by committee members against a decision taken by the majority and the dissenting opinion may be appended to the main report.

Why Were Those Five Nominees Rejected?

Aisha Jumwa

The Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee is battling murder charges in court which took a new twist before she faced the vetting panel. 

The prosecution told the Mombasa High Court that the family of the deceased - Michael Ngumbao Jola - requested to settle the matter out of court.

"I don't own a gun and I have never applied for a gun. My cases were politically instigated and the DPP dropped the case on misappropriation of funds.

"In the murder trial, I empathise with the family because it is unfortunate. I am clear in my mind I never shot anyone, I am not a gun holder. Three witnesses have testified in court and have not mentioned my name anywhere. I am innocent per the Constitution," she affirmed to the committee.

Mithika Linturi

The Agriculture CS nominee was cornered with regard to a case involving a woman who accused him of attempting to rape her at Maiyan Villas Hotel in Nanyuki, Laikipia County on January 30, 2021, one of 35 court cases he admitted before the panel that he was facing.

He also failed to explain to the committee clearly how he would transform the Agriculture docket, considered one of the most critical in the Kenya Kwanza agenda. Among the matters, the former Meru Senator failed to address upon being questioned by the committee was that of Genetically Modified Organism crops (GMO) and how they would benefit farmers now that they are now legal in the country.

Peninah Malonza

Malonza's nomination to the Tourism docket did not sit well with Azimio MPs who faulted how she struggled to prove herself that she was the right candidate to take over from outgoing CS Najib Balala, one of Kenya's longest office bearers of the tourism docket.

Several times she had to be corrected for misquoting facts and failing to admit she made mistakes during the vetting exercise.

"If the nominee does not know, she should just say that and express that she will check the facts later. Next time she will say it is Ksh2.5 trillion. If she is not sure of the facts. She should just leave them out," Imenti North MP, Rahim Dawood stated at the time.

The corrections by the panel also saw Wetangula advise her to avoid misquoting figures.

"No one knows everything, it is how you will engage in office if we approve you. You can say you will formulate policies, and legislation and find out. All those responses are good answers," Wetangula advised.

Zachariah Njeru- Njeru's approval as the Lands Cabinet Secretary also faced hurdles, especially regarding his experience. It was recommended that the President should appoint someone well-versed in the docket.

As for Njuguna Ndung'u, the reasons for reservations held on the Treasury CS nominee were not disclosed.

From left CS nominees Penina Malonza (Tourism), Zacharia Njeru (Lands), Njuguna Ndung’u (Treasury), Aisha Jumwa (Public Service) and Mithika Linturi (Agriculture). /DAILY NATION

The National Assembly is expected to debate the report on Tuesday, October 25. Azimio MPs are expected to show up with a separate report to be tabled before the House in the event the committee recommends their approval in its reports.

In the event the five are rejected, President Ruto will have to nominate replacements who will be vetted by the committee.

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