An aerial view of the House on Tuesday. The Committee that will vet President Uhuru Kenyatta's cabinet secretaries, Principal Secretaries, ambassadors and high commissioners will be named and approved by the House on Tuesday. Photo/Billy Mutai
The Committee that will vet President Uhuru Kenyatta's Cabinet secretaries, Principal Secretaries, ambassadors and High Commissioners will be named and approved by the House on Tuesday.
Leader of Majority Party Aden Duale said the House Business Committee (HBC) that sets the agenda of Parliament will present the list of nominees to the Committee on Appointments for approval.
“The HBC will table list of MPs to serve in the Committee on Appointments and there after present a motion for adoption by the House,” said Mr Duale while presenting the weekly programme of business for the House pursuant to section 44(1) of the Standing Orders.
President Kenyatta is expected to name his 18-member Cabinet before presenting the list of nominees to Parliament for vetting and approval.
Parliament will have seven days to vet the nominees and approve or reject their names and sent them back to the President.
The Committee on Appointments will be chaired by the Speaker Justin Muturi and has 29 other members including the deputy Speaker, the leaders of Majority and Minority and their deputies.
“The committee on Appointments shall be appointed within seven days on assembly of the new House and shall serve for a period of three years and that appointed thereafter shall serve for the remainder of the term,” states Standing Order 204 (2).
The House rules stipulate that the Committee on Appointment will consider for approval by the House appointments of cabinet secretaries. On Sunday, President Kenyatta recalled all ambassadors and high commissioners serving in 52 foreign missions in order to facilitate fresh appointments.
Those seeking the slots of Principal Secretaries are also being vetted by the Public Service Commission before the president can appoint and forward their names to Parliament for further scrutiny and approval.
Mr Duale said the Committee on Selection, which appoints the 349 MPs to the 28 standing and departmental committees will table list of members to the various House teams for approval on Wednesday afternoon.
“The House Business Committee will meet on Tuesday morning and afternoon to consider business for the week and the week after,” Duale said.
He appealed to first time MPs to begin filling motions and statements in order to help generate business for MPs to transact.
“I appeal to first time MPs to start preparing business. Seek statements from chairmen of committees once the committees are formed next week for the House to start deliberating on the same,” he said.
He urged lawmakers to introduce private members Bills and motions on Wednesday morning. I encourage you to file the statements, motions and Bills with the Table Office at room eight,” Duale added.
Mr Muturi asked MPs to study House rules in order to quickly learn the ropes of debate in the House.
