National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale put the appointment of Dr Sarah Serem in jeopardy when he asked Members of Parliament (MPs) to give her a hard time during vetting.
The Garissa Township MP, who addressed the House, asked the members of the National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee to recall how Dr Serem slashed their salaries as members of the 11th Parliament.
Duale added that the vetting exercise would be a prime opportunity for the MPs to get back at her, following her nomination for Kenya's Ambassador to China.
"Mr Speaker, those members who were in the 11th Parliament who are sitting here and even the 12th Parliament you know how we have been reduced in terms of leadership scale in this country.
[caption caption="National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale during a past address to the press from Parliament buildings"]
[/caption]
"What parliament went through under Sarah Serem...and God is great, I have another opportunity to vet and discuss Sarah Serem. She did not know that she would look for a job that will need vetting," Duale explained in a veiled threat.
The suggestion by the Majority Leader was not received well by members of the House who argued it would be prejudicial and risked destroying the reputation of the National Assembly.
"To threaten a nominee who has been appointed by the same appointing authority he serves and instructing members of the committee to be ruthless and to punish her is making this house look of people who have a vendetta and are very cheap," Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo noted.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo further faulted Duale for preempting the outcome of a vetting exercise that was yet to take place.
Chair of the Defence Committee Katoo Ole Metito reiterated: "It is good for the House to give nominees a fair hearing and due process because if we start making pronouncements before they appear before respective committees it is intimidating and prejudicial and some nominees may even withdraw saying the process is not fair."
Speaker Justin Muturi dismissed the motion asking members to give every nominee a fair chance.
[caption caption="Former SRC Chairperson Sarah Serem who was nominated for the position of Ambassador to China"]
[/caption]
