The National Assembly Committee on Appointments is gearing up for another round of vetting today Friday, August 9, 2024, where two high-profile nominees, Beatrice Askul and Dorcas Oduor, will undergo thorough vetting.
This process marks a significant step in President William Ruto's efforts to finalise his new Cabinet which could be delayed a little longer after the rejection of the appointment of Soi Lang'at as the Cabinet Secretary for the Gender docket.
Beatrice Askul proposed for the position of Cabinet Secretary for East African Community Affairs and Regional Development, and Dorcas Oduor, the nominee for Attorney General, will face the Committee to assess their qualifications and suitability for these critical roles.
The Committee, chaired by Moses Wetangula, will first scrutinise Askul at 10 am, followed by Oduor at noon.
The nominations were announced by President Ruto last week, through a statement issued by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei.
This follows the initial appointment of 19 other Cabinet members who have already been approved.
However, not all nominations have been successful; for instance, Stella Lang’at, previously nominated for the Gender Ministry, did not clear the vetting process.
Beatrice Askul’s credentials include a notable tenure as the CEC for Water, Irrigation, Agriculture, and Land Reclamation in Turkana County. Her political roots are deeply embedded in opposition circles, having been a key ally of Raila Odinga and actively involved in his 2022 presidential campaign.
Her experience includes leadership roles with AMREF Kenya’s Turkana Project and the Rift Valley Water Services Board. Askul holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Governance and Ethics.
On the other hand, Dorcas Oduor is poised to replace Justin Muturi as Attorney General.
Currently serving as the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Oduor brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including Head of the Economic, International, and Emerging Crimes Departments at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Her educational background includes a Master’s in International Conflict Management, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
The public was given the opportunity to submit their views on the nominees by August 8, 2024. This feedback will play a role in shaping the Committee's final recommendations.
The Committee’s report will ultimately determine whether the nominees will be confirmed or rejected by the National Assembly.
However, a civil rights group has moved to court, halting the new-look Cabinet Secretaries from taking office.
It remains unclear when President William Ruto will nominate a candidate for the vacant Cabinet post in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage.
