Kiambu MCAs reject Governor Wamatangi’s ten cabinet nominees

Kiambu governor Kimani Wamatangi has been dealt a blow after the county assembly rejected all of his 10 nominees to his cabinet.

About a month ago, Wamatangi had submitted names Nancy Kirumba (Finance, ICT and Economic Planning), Bibianne Waiganjo (Education, Gender and Culture and Social Services), Margaret Ruinge (Administration and Public Services), Salome Wainaina (Housing, Physical Planning, Municipal Administration and Urban Development) among others to the speaker of the assembly Charles Thion’go for vetting.

On Wednesday, Assembly members unanimously rejected to approve all 10 cabinet nominees and urged the speaker to table 10 motions to discuss the suitability of the nominees as some aren’t known to them.

Assembly Chief Whip Nelson Munga told the media that the speaker who chaired the vetting ought to have furnished MCAs with the public appointment committee report before tabling the approval motion on the floor of the house.

“We are not robots. We can’t just flip through the order paper and then approve its content blindly,” he said. “The vetting was not done publicly as was the case at the National Assembly and hence we hardly know the nominees. It’s therefore prudent for the house to give members time to critically read and understand the document”. he said.

Kiamwangi ward MCA Kung’u Smart has also said that the vetting of the County cabinet has to be done as per the house procedure.

He said that the speaker has no option but to invite the nominees of the cabinet to the assembly to face the house for grilling as it was witnessed in the National assembly.

Mr. Kung’u said that the assembly will not be used as a rubber stamp and members have to be allowed to do their job well without interference.

“Kiambu assembly will do its due diligence in vetting the nominated members to ensure that Kiambu gets the best and those ready to serve, “he said.

He urged the members of the public to be patient and accord them enough time to vet and approve those who are qualified.

He further disputed claims that there is bad blood between the legislature and executive noting that they will fully support the Wamatangi administration.

Limuru Central representative Nduta Mwongi also said that the approval of CEC should not be treated as emergency and assembly leaders must be given time to scrutinize them.

“How can you bring me a document with 10 names and tell me to take it as one motion. Bring me independent candidates so that I can then look at candidates individually”.

Elsewhere, the Meru County assembly had also rejected seven out of ten CEC nominees presented by Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

The MCAs were rejected on grounds that they did not demonstrate knowledge of the topical, administrative and technical issues affecting their departments. 

In Machakos County, the newly appointed Machakos County Executive Committee Members were sworn in after being approved by the assembly members.

 All ten nominees took the oath of office after they were given clean bill of health by Machakos County Assembly on Tuesday, November 8.