It was a busy week for Members of Parliament as the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments completed the vetting of Cabinet Secretary nominees and presented its report to the House for approval.
On Thursday, MPs debated and approved the committee’s report, which was chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. The committee endorsed 19 out of the 20 nominees proposed by the President. However, the nominee for Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage, Stella Soi Lang’at, was not approved.
The Committee on Appointments cited Lang’at’s failure to demonstrate an “adequate understanding” of the Gender docket as the reason for her rejection.
During the session, MPs bid farewell to two colleagues, Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi, who were appointed as Cabinet Secretaries for the National Treasury and Energy, respectively. Speaker Wetang’ula urged them to remain accessible to MPs when they begin their new roles, reminding them of the challenges lawmakers face when dealing with Cabinet Secretaries.
“I would be deeply disappointed to hear that you are not available to MPs, that you are ignoring their calls, or not addressing the issues they bring to you,” Wetang’ula said.
MPs also approved several other nominees, including Kindiki Kithure for the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Deborah Barasa for Health, Alice Wahome for Lands, Julius Migosi Ogamba for Education, Soipan Tuya for Defence, Andrew Muhia for Agriculture, Aden Duale for Environment, Eric Mureithi Muga for Water, Davis Chirchir for Roads, Margaret Nyambura for ICT, Salim Mvurya for Trade, Rebecca Miano for Tourism, Kipchumba Murkomen for Youth Affairs, Hassan Joho for Mining, Alfred Mutua for Labour and Social Protection, Wycliffe Oparanya for Cooperatives, and Justin Muturi for Public Service.
Additionally, the National Assembly passed the Pensions (Amendment) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No. 44 of 2022) on Wednesday. The Bill aims to expedite pension payments to retirees by amending the Pensions Act to establish a clear timeline for pension disbursement.
Government ministries and departments are now required to submit the necessary documents to the Pensions Department within 30 days following an employee’s retirement. After receiving these documents, the Pensions Department will have a 60-day period to process pension payments for retirees.
Meanwhile, the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife met with Kungu Ndung’u, the Director General of the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), regarding an outstanding compensation owed to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The outstanding amount of Sh2.4 billion is part of a total of Sh3.7 billion in compensation for land used during the construction of the Southern Bypass Road in Nairobi.
MPs raised concerns about the initial payment process and the delays in settling the remaining balance. In a letter to the National Assembly, KWS stated that they signed an easement agreement in September 2015 for the construction of the Southern Bypass Road, agreeing on a compensation amount of Sh3.7 billion.
While KeNHA has paid Sh1.2 billion, KWS has not been able to secure the remaining Sh2.4 billion. The letter also noted that the State Department for Infrastructure had committed to resolving the payment issue and requested KWS to allow the contractor access to the park.
KWS expressed frustration over their attempts to follow up on the payment, stating that their letters have gone unacknowledged and unanswered despite their persistent efforts.
