Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Beatrice Elachi has vowed to fiercely defend Public Service Cabinet Secretary nominee Aisha Jumwa during vetting at the National Assembly.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, October 11, Elachi maintained that compliance with Chapter 6, Leadership and Integrity, and to other requirements has often been applied selectively when vetting Cabinet nominees.
Amid murmurs over Jumwa's nomination to the cabinet, the lawmaker vowed to ensure that the former Malindi MP or other female nominees are not grilled should their male counterparts be handled with lenience.
"I want to caution those who are being nominated that upon self-assessment and you question whether you comply with Chapter 6, then there are many options including withdrawing from. But I know nobody will do it.
"Having said that, since they have brought in men who are also questionable, no woman is going to be questioned. The men will wound up and protect their fellows, so does it mean that we women will be the ones to question our own? No!" Elachi stated.
The lawmaker argued that an alleged bias by the male lawmakers in previous vetting sessions had seen candidates that fall short of the qualifications earn a sit in the Cabinet.
Elachi further claimed that while President William Ruto only nominated members of the Cabinet, the decision was almost a done deal since Kenya Kwanza has the majority in parliament.
However, Belgut MP Nelson Koech countered the argument stating that MPs allied to Ruto would not shy of calling out and turning down leaders who had soiled reputations, especially those relating to graft.
Nonetheless, he pointed out that academic qualifications should not be the basis for rejecting leaders with great delivery records.
"The obsession with education in Kenya really upsets me. As long as you are articulate, and have wisdom it is enough; education defines leaders but exposure and experience also count," Koech explained.
Save for Jumwa, six other women were nominated to the cabinet including Kandara MP Alice Wahome, nominated MP Soipan Tuya, Rebecca Miano, Peninah Malonza, Susan Nakhumicha and Florence Bore.
Others nominated to cabinet in an advisory role include Harriet Chigai (women's rights) and Monica Juma (Security). Mercy Wanjau will step in as the Secretary to the Cabinet.
The 21 nominees and three advisors will be vetted by the 13th Parliament's Appointments Committee. Names of successful candidates will be forwarded to the president.
