As the Kenyan National Assembly reconvenes on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, after a month-long recess, lawmakers face a critical test: the vetting of President William Ruto’s new Cabinet nominees.
The session begins under intense public scrutiny, particularly from the country’s youth, who have expressed vehement opposition to the reappointment of several previous Cabinet members.
Kathiani Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Mbui, speaking on a local television station on Monday, July 22, 2024, underscored the mounting pressure on MPs to heed the calls for change from their constituents.
“We are going into the house, and one of the first things we will be dealing with is vetting these nominees,” Mbui stated.
“The youth have been very clear that they do not want people to be recycled,” he added.
The outcry is particularly directed at the reappointment of individuals such as Professor Kithure Kindiki, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary, who oversaw a period marked by violent crackdowns on demonstrators.
“When the president dismissed the Cabinet, it meant he had shown no confidence in any of them,” Mbui said.
“Reappointing the same individuals, especially those under whose watch innocent youths were killed, is an insult to the youth of Kenya.”
6 former CSs
The president’s decision to bring back six former Cabinet members has triggered widespread public outrage, particularly among Gen Z, whose relentless protests contributed to the initial dismissals.
The youth, alongside other activists, demand a comprehensive overhaul of the Cabinet, threatening renewed protests if their calls are ignored.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who chairs the Committee on Appointments, will spearhead the vetting process.
His leadership will be pivotal as the committee navigates the contentious political landscape.
Wetang’ula is expected to present the names of the nominees to the House, setting the stage for what promises to be a rigorous scrutiny of their competence and suitability.
The youth movement, galvanized by economic hardships and disillusionment with the current leadership, has been vocal in its demands for accountability and change.
Ruto’s decision to re-appoint the same faces has further alienated many young Kenyans and intensified their demands for a clean sweep of the Cabinet.
As the National Assembly begins its sittings, the spotlight will be on how lawmakers respond to the unprecedented pressure from their constituents.
Lessons from the past
Mbui expressed hope that MPs would approach the vetting process with renewed reason and logic, reflecting the urgent needs of the populace.
“I believe the Members of Parliament will now start debating with reason and with logic, not the way we were before we went on recess,” he said.
The coming days will reveal whether the lawmakers will heed the warnings from the public or if they will rubber-stamp the president’s nominees, potentially igniting further unrest.
As Kenya stands at a crossroads, the decisions made in Parliament will have far-reaching implications for the country’s political future and the trust of its younger generation.