Azimio MPs question Mudavadi's role as Prime Cabinet Secretary

With the vetting exercise for all the 22 cabinet nominees set to kick off on Monday, Azimio leaders have raised doubts on Mudavadi’s position on grounds that it is not in the constitution.

The ANC party leader will be the first nominee to face the National Assembly’s committee on appointments.

Nominated to the position of Prime Cabinet Secretary, domiciled at the Kenya Railways Headquarter, Mudavadi was touted by President William Ruto as the country’s third most powerful leader. But that position has sparked controversy within the vetting committee

“He will explain, that’s why we will have him tomorrow, he will explain what kind of job he wants us to vet him for,” Saboti MP Caleb Amisi says.

“Such a position is alien to the constitution and can’t be considered as part of the cabinet,” says Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi

The controversy forms the first agenda on the first day of the weeklong vetting process as Speaker Moses Wetangula is expected to deliver a decision to unlock the vetting exercise.

President William Ruto dispatched an interesting mix of nominees to spearhead 22 ministries in his administration.

Among those listed for vetting to be appointed to various positions include leaders who had court cases hanging over their shoulders at the time of their nominations.

Interestingly, the Director of Public Prosecutions has dropped the attempted rape case against Agriculture Cabinet nominee Mithika Linturi and the Ksh. 19 Million graft case against former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, nominated to the Public Service docket.

The Azimio MPs have put CS nominees with pending court cases on notice, saying it will be a tough vetting process.

“Parliament will carry out our mandate in line with the constitution, neither the president nor the deputy president or even the cabinet nominees will influence how parliament will operate,” says Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

The committee has until the 28th of October to vet and table its report to the national assembly for debate and until 3rd of November to debate and approve or disapprove the committee report.