Wednesday, Deadline for Submission of Public Views

The public has until Wednesday 7th at 5pm to submit the memoranda of nine cabinet secretaries, seven principle secretaries and seven ambassadors that were nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta
Members of the public had been given 7 days to submit their written submissions on the suitability of the candidates nominated by the president, which would be used as part of the scrutiny during the vetting on their suitability.
We spoke to members of the public to find out how versed they are with this process and if they indeed took part. Wycliffe Okumu a resident of Kabiria, Nairobi County states that he was aware of the process but chose not to be part of it as saw that his opinion would not count. Other Kenyans chose to participate or were not aware of their involvement. At least one affidavit and six letters from members of the public had been filed to the Committee on Appointment of the National Assembly by Monday evening.
The law requires that nominees to the position of cabinet secretaries are vetted within 14 days of their names being submitted. Speaker of the national assembly Justin Muturi has stated that the process will go on as planned despite NASA members of parliament led by minority leader John Mbadi stating that they will not take part as they do not recognize Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency.
Three lobby groups have rejected Uhuru’s proposed Cabinet by filing petitions in court to bar Parliament from vetting the nominees on Thursday and Friday.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission, the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness, and the Federation of Women Lawyers argue Uhuru did not consider the constitutional threshold on gender representation, people living with disability and regional balance.
Professor Margret Kobia, John Munyes, Dr Monica Juma, Farida Karoney and Peter Munya will be vetted on Thursday 8th while Keriako Tobiko, Simon Chelugui, Ukur Yattani and Rashid Achesa will be vetted on Friday 9th after which the committee will head for a retreat to draft its final report.
The report will then be submitted to parliament for their approval or rejection.