The ambitious nomination of Stella Lang'at to head the Ministry of Public Service, Youth, and Gender Affairs has been firmly rejected by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments.
This decision was informed by the deep concerns over her suitability for the role, marked by frequent job transitions and a perceived lack of in-depth understanding of the gender docket.
On August 7, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah presented the committee’s report to the House, outlining the reasons behind the controversial decision.
Ichung’wah, representing the committee’s unanimous view, noted that Lang'at’s career trajectory, characterised by multiple short-term roles, failed to demonstrate the stability and strategic vision necessary for a high-level ministerial position.
“The nominee’s career has been marked by frequent transitions, with each role lacking the long-term strategic planning essential for leading a ministry effectively,” Ichung’wa stated, emphasising the committee's concern that Lang'at had not developed a solid foundation in any specific leadership capacity within the public service.
The committee’s report was unequivocal in its assessment, noting that Lang'at’s varied roles—ranging from Director of Administration at the State Department of Housing and Urban Development to Senior Deputy County Commissioner in Nyamira—had not sufficiently prepared her for the demands of the Ministry of Public Service, Youth, and Gender Affairs.
“The result of this frequent role-switching is a lack of grounding in any one area of leadership,” Ichung’wa elaborated.
“Moreover, the nominee struggled to demonstrate an adequate understanding of the administrative and technical issues crucial to the ministry she was set to oversee.”
Lang'at, who is currently the Director of Administration at the Ministry of Interior and Administration, has had a lengthy career in public service. Her roles include serving as Bomet County Secretary from 2020 to 2021, and previous positions as Deputy County Commissioner in various counties.
Despite her extensive experience, the committee felt these roles did not align with the high expectations of a Cabinet Secretary.
Critically, Ichung’wa pointed out that Lang'at had not provided satisfactory responses to the Approval Committee’s queries, further eroding confidence in her capability to serve effectively in the proposed role.
“It was clear from the approval process that the nominee did not meet the standards we expect for such an important position,” Ichung’wa said.
The committee's decision was a stark moment in the ongoing reshuffle of President William Ruto’s Cabinet. Out of the 20 nominees proposed by the President, the committee endorsed 19, marking Lang'at’s rejection as a notable exception.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, echoed the sentiment of the committee, highlighting that Lang'at's appointment would not align with the public's expectations or statutory requirements for the role.
Lang'at's educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s in Public Administration from Moi University.
Despite these qualifications, the committee believed her practical experience did not match the strategic needs of the gender ministry.
