Political leaders allied to Azimio party leader, Raila Odinga, have vowed to crack down on the nominees President Ruto fronted for Cabinet positions.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna pointed out that some nominees had pending legal cases hanging over their heads and thus were not fit to hold office.
He thus called on Azimio lawmakers to reject a section of proposed CSs while vetting them in Parliament.
“Kenya Kwanza went for the very worst of the bunch for Cabinet should tell you that there is no intention to govern at all. I mean is that a proposed cabinet list or a criminal cases update from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution?" the ODM Secretary General wondered.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina concured with Sifuna, beckoning his colleagues to ensure that CS nominees who do not meet the required standards are locked out.
“On a serious note the National Assembly needs to vet the nominees in line with Chapter Six of the Constitution - on Leadership and Intergrity - as well as competency. It’s a paradigm shift from technocrats to politicians.
“What’s does this mean to the cooperate world and economic recovery of a nation wallowing in debt?,” the senator posed.
On the other hand, Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o lamented that Ruto’s Cabinet did not represent the country’s diversity, given that Article 131 (1) (e) prescribes that the president is a symbol of national unity.
“Having seen appointments to the Cabinet, equity and regional balance, two components of national unity are prominent by their absence," Nyongo stated.
As the chairperson of the Council of Governors Land, Housing and Urban Development committee, Nyong'o also faulted Ruto’s decision to do away with the Devolution Ministry, stating that it undermined the principal structures of the government.
In his parting shot after naming his proposed cabinet on September 27, Ruto wished the nominees the very best during the vetting process, after which Parliament will send him an approved list of CS for appointment.
