MPs Approve President Ruto’s 24 Cabinet Nominees

The National Assembly has approved all 24 Cabinet nominees, including Peninah Malonza whose nomination was unanimously rejected by the Committee on Appointments.

In a report tabled before the House on Tuesday, the vetting committee said Malonza was found to lack requisite knowledge, experience, and abilities to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.

“The nominee did not demonstrate knowledge on topical, administrative, and technical issues touching on the ministry. She lacked the requisite abilities and professional experience to be approved for appointment to the office of Cabinet Secretary,” read the report.

Malonza is the former Kitui County Deputy Governor. She is also a former senior executive with Compassion International, a non-governmental organization.

The 15-member committee was also divided over the nominations of two other Cabinet Secretary nominees; Aisha Jumwa (Public Service), and Mithika Linturi (Agriculture) over pending court cases and a missing academic degree respectively.

The approval of the 24 Cabinet nominees paves the way for their swearing-in, which is expected to take place before the end of the week.

Below is a list of the Cabinet nominees.

1.    Musalia Mudavadi - Prime Cabinet Secretary 

2.    Interior Ministry - Prof Abraham Kindiki

3.    National Treasury - Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u

4.    Public Service Gender and Affirmative Action - Aisha Jumwa

5.    Defense - Aden Duale

6.    Water Sanitation - Alice Wahome

7.    Foreign and Diaspora Affairs - Alfred Mutua

8.    Trade, Investment and Industry - Moses Kuria

9.    East Africa Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development - Rebecca Miano

10.    Roads, Transport and Public Works - Kipchumba Murkomen

11.    Environment and Forestry - Soipan Tuya

12.    Lands, Housing and Urban Development - Zachariah Mwangi Njeru

13.    Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage - Peninah Malonza

14.    Agriculture and Livestock Development - Mithika Linturi

15.    Health - Susan Nakumicha Wafula

16.    Information, Communication and Digital Economy - Eliud Owalo

17.    Education - Ezekiel Machogu

18.    Energy and Petroleum - Davis Chirchir

19.    Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts - Ababu Namwamba

20.    Cooperatives and MSME Development - Simon Chelugui

21.    Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs - Salim Mvurya

22.    Labour and Social protection - Florence Bore

23.    Secretary to the Cabinet - Mercy Wanjau

24.    Attorney General - Justin Muturi