Wetangula: Mudavadi's Prime CS position is legal

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has stated that the nomination of Musalia Mudavadi as the Prime Cabinet Secretary is within the law.

President William Ruto nominated Mudavadi to the position while unveiling his 22-member cabinet last month, sparking debate on the legalities of the position and its difference from the Deputy President's post.

But on Monday, Speaker Wetangula ruled that the cabinet slot was within the law and hence the committee shall proceed and vet Mudavadi in accordance to the house vetting committee standing orders.

" The committee has already received a total of 22 memorandums to various CS nominees which shall be disclosed to nominees during their vetting. According to our constitution, the president is allowed to have not less than 14 or more than 22 cabinet slots, and I hereby confirm that the Prime Cabinet Secretary  is within the law," stated Wetangula.

He was speaking at the House during the commencement of the CS vetting exercise by the 15-member Committee on Appointments, which he will chair.

The exercise runs through to Saturday, October 22, with the exception of Thursday, October 20, when the country will observe Mashujaa Day.

Mudavadi was the first to appear before the committee at 9.00 am.

Justin Muturi, the Attorney General nominee, was scheduled to appear at 10.30 am, while Defence CS nominee Aden Duale was expected at 11.30 am.

Dr. Alfred Mutua who has been nominated to the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs docket was set to face the committee at 2.30 pm, while her Water, Sanitation and Irrigation counterpart Alice Wahome would close the day's exercise after her vetting which is slated at 3.30 pm.