The rise of splinter groups within the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments threatens to derail President William Ruto's administration.
Azimio La Umoja lawmakers rejected five Cabinet Secretaries nominees who they argued were not fit to occupy key offices.
Among those whose nominations were said to hang in the balance were Aisha Jumwa (Public Service), Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), Peninah Malonza (Tourism), Zacharia Njeru (Lands) and Njunguna Ndung'u (Treasury).
The fate of these five cabinet nominees now hangs in the balance after it emerged that the division may spread into the National Assembly set to debate the list.
Why Were The Five Nominees Rejected
Mithika Linturi
During his vetting, Linturi divulged to the Committee of Appointment led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula that he has 35 active civil cases in various courts.
Linturi also failed to clearly explain how he would transform the Agriculture docket. Two key question MPs felt he answered haphazardly was how Genetically Modified Organism crops (GMO) would benefit farmers and how his manifesto aligned with the Kenya Kwanza agricultural agendas.
Aisha Jumwa
Aisha Jumwa, on the other hand, is facing murder charges.
However, the family of the deceased, Ngumbao Jola, sought to solve the matter amicably.
Peninah Malonza
On the other hand, Malonza's nomination to the Tourism docket was opposed, with Azimio MPs unsatisfied with her performance during the vetting exercise.
Azimio MPs are said to have expressed their reservations indicating that she was not well-versed with her mandate.
During her interview, lawmakers corrected Malonza severally as she often misquoted facts and legislation.
“She is timid and lacks coherence for the docket she has been nominated, which is crucial in marketing the country to the outside world.
"Her evading of questions during the vetting exercise makes her appointment doubtful,” a member of the Committee stated.
The Other CS Nominees
Njeru's approval also faces a hurdle over reservations regarding his experience with recommendations that the President should appoint an experienced person to the docket.
The reasons for reservations held on Njunguna Ndung'u were not yet disclosed.
Azimio MPs are also expected to table a separate report before the House should the Wetangula-led committee recommend their approval in its reports.
The National Assembly is expected to debate the report on Tuesday, October 25. President William Ruto will name replacements who will be vetted by the committee should the five nominees be rejected.
