Why MPs rejected Stella Soi's nomination as Gender CS

While tabling the report on Cabinet vetting on Wednesday, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa said Soi failed to demonstrate to the Committee her knowledge of the docket she was nominated.

"...Stella Soi Langat is a career civil servant who has extensive experience in public service but did not demonstrate an adequate understanding of the Gender docket to which she has been nominated and the committee saw her unsuitable for appointment to that docket," said Ichung'wa.

He went on, "The nominee failed to demonstrate adequate knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage to which she has been nominated."

According to the vetting committee, Soi's experience in public service has been marked by very frequent job transitions in various roles with none of them being a leadership position.

"All the six (6) different postings that the nominee has held do not require any long-term strategic planning. As a result, she has not become grounded in any specific leadership role in the public service: she may not sit well and serve the public in a manner envisaged," the report indicated.

The committee also observed that some of the responses from Soi, during vetting, were not gender sensitive as required of the holder of the office and that she also fumbled on her responses.

"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," he stated.

"The Ministry is strategically important and is tasked with overseeing critical national policies and services. The ministry requires leadership with a strong strategic vision, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of policy management."

Following Soi's rejection, the President will be required to submit to the National Assembly another name for vetting.

Soi was among 20 Cabinet Secretary nominees vetted last week. All other 19 nominees were found suitable for appointment to Cabinet. 

Those approved include Aden Duale (Environment), Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Alice Wahome (Lands), Alfred Mutua (Labour), Salim Mvurya (Trade), Justin Muturi (Public Service), Soipan Tuya (Defence), Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports), Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport) Rebecca Miano (Wildlife and Tourism), Debra Mulongo Barasa (Health), and Julius Migosi Ogamba (Education).

Others are Andrew Mwihia Karanja (Agriculture and Livestock Development), Eric Muriithi Muuga (Water, Sanitation and Irrigation), Margaret Nyambura Ndung'u (Information, Communication and Digital Economy), John Mbadi (National Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Hassan Joho (Mining) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives).