Parliament Approves Ruto's Picks For CSs, Diplomatic Posts & SRC
Kagwe, Kabogo and Kinyanjui were nominated as Cabinet Secretaries (CS) of Agriculture, ICT & Digital Economy and Trade.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The National Assembly Committee on Appointments on Thursday, January 16 approved the nominations of former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, and former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui to President William Ruto's broad-based Cabinet.
Kagwe, Kabogo and Kinyanjui were nominated as Cabinet Secretaries (CS) of Agriculture, ICT & Digital Economy and Trade. Their approval brings them a step closer to being formally appointed by President Ruto.
The committee tabled its report in Parliament, recommending the approval of the three nominees for appointment. The Members of Parliament (MP) are expected to debate the nominees this afternoon during a special session before the names are forwarded to President Ruto for appointment.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula had recalled all MPs from their long recess to consider the nominations of the three among other matters.
CS nominees Mutahi Kagwe, William Kabogo and Lee Kinyanjui during their vetting on January 14, 2025. /PARLIAMENT KENYA
Furthermore, the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations recommended the approval of Andrew Karanja as the Ambassador of Kenya to Brazil and Ababu Namwamba as Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).
It also recommended the approval of Noor Gabow as Kenya's Consul-General to Haiti.
Additionally, the National Assembly approved the appointment of seven individuals to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) as chairperson and members.
The appointees include Sammy Chepkwony (Chairperson), Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Martin Kizito Ong’onyi, Mohamed Aden Abdi, Jane Gatakaa Njage, Gilda Odera, Geoffrey Apollo Omondi, and Leonid Ashindu.
Each member represents a different sector in the government including; the defence council, county governments, and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Others represent an umbrella body for employers, an umbrella body for trade unions, and a joint commission for professional bodies.
The seven were among 20 nominations made by the President to four commissions including; the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Commission of Administrative Justice (CAJ), and the National Gender Equality Commission (NGEC).
However, despite all the others being vetted and approved shortly after, nominees in SRC suffered an unprecedented delay when the committee on appointments requested more time to consider the approval.
Led by now chair Sammy Chepkwony, they faced the National Assembly Committee on Labour for their vetting on November 22, 2024. However, as the other commissioners took office in their respective offices, they were left out even as the house took a recess for the December holidays.
In the December 5 sitting of the National Assembly, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah requested an extension to tie up some loose ends before making their decision.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly Committee on Labour recommended the approval of Mary Kimonye Wanjira as the Vice Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and Harun Maalim Hassan, Mwanamaka Amani Mambruki, Boya Molu, Irene Cherotich Asiega, Francis Otieno Owino, Joan Andisi Machayo and Francis Meja as members of the committee.
