Speaker Wetang’ula forwards cabinet nominees for vetting, report due April 24

The National Assembly has taken the next step in processing the nomination of Geoffrey Ruku and Hanna Cheptumo for Cabinet Secretary positions after Speaker Moses Wetang’ula forwarded their names to the Committee on Appointments for review.

President William Ruto nominated Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku to head the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes.

If the National Assembly approves his appointment, he will succeed Justin Muturi, who was relieved of his duties.

Additionally, Hanna Cheptumo has been nominated to lead the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage.

Speaking on Tuesday, Wetang’ula confirmed that he had received the nominations last Thursday and officially submitted them to the committee for vetting.

“The President now seeks the approval of the nominees by this House. In this regard, and pursuant to the provisions of section 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, CAP 7F as read together with Standing Order 42(3), I hereby refer the third Message from the President, together with the curriculum vitae of the nominees to the Committee on Appointments for consideration,” he stated.

According to Wetang’ula, the committee is required to assess the nominees and submit its report to the House within 28 days, as mandated by law.

“In this regard, the Committee on Appointments is expected to immediately commence the approval hearing and report back to the House by Thursday, April 24, 2025, to allow consideration by the House within the statutory timelines,” said the Speaker.

The Ministry of Gender has remained without a Cabinet Secretary since August 2024, when the National Assembly Committee on Appointments rejected the nomination of Stella Soi Lang’at.

The Committee, whose decision was upheld by the House, concluded that Lang’at was not suitable for the position.

According to the committee’s report, she failed to demonstrate a sufficient understanding of key administrative and technical matters related to the ministry.

“The nominee is unsuitable for the position to which she was nominated as she was unable to respond in a satisfactory manner to the queries raised during the approval hearing relating to Gender, Heritage, and Culture,” the report stated.

The nominations of Ruku and Cheptumo follow a recent mini Cabinet reshuffle in which the President also put forward 14 Principal Secretaries for consideration.

Their names were submitted to the National Assembly on March 24 and 25, 2025.

Additionally, four individuals were nominated for the roles of ambassadors, permanent representatives, and consul-generals.

Committees responsible for vetting the Principal Secretary nominees are expected to present their reports by April 22, while those assessing the diplomatic appointments are required to submit their findings by April 24.

With the nomination process now in motion, attention turns to the parliamentary vetting process, where the suitability of the candidates will be evaluated before a final decision is made.