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{
"id": 1555707,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1555707/?format=api",
"text_counter": 103,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Kikuyu, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Ichungwah",
"speaker": null,
"content": "2. Ms Hanna Wendot Cheptumo – Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as I move, let me begin by thanking all the Members of the Committee on Appointments who availed themselves the whole of Monday, 14th April 2025, to go through the Motions of vetting these two Cabinet Secretaries, led by our Speaker, who is the Chairperson of the Committee on Appointments. They dedicated a lot of their time on Monday and yesterday morning to approve these two Cabinet Secretaries. In conducting the approval hearings on Monday, 14th April 2025, the Committee was guided by the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, and the provisions of the Constitution under Article 152(2). Further pursuant to Article 118 of the Constitution, on public participation, we invited members of the public to submit memoranda in contesting the suitability of either of the nominees. We received three memoranda, out of which only one complied with the provisions of the Act. In that regard, we examined the nominees on the issues raised in the memorandum as contained in the Report that I tabled on 15th April 2025 afternoon. Additionally, we were able to look at all the clearance reports from the various agencies, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the office of Registrar of Political Parties. I know Hon. Kiringa Ruku has previously claimed to be the party leader of the Democratic Party of Kenya, but it became clear that he was only doing so at times in jest. He is not an official of any political party, but was a member and an elected Member of Parliament under the Democratic Party of Kenya. We also had clearances from the Higher Education Loans Board and the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to see that none of them had criminal cases preferred against them. Further, we had clearance from the Commission for University Education, and of course, the Kenya Revenue Authority to ascertain that they are compliant in terms of payment of taxes. During the approval hearings, we also examined the suitability of the two nominees based on the criteria set out in the Act. To this end, the Committee observed that pursuant to Sections 6(7) 6(8) 7 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, both nominees demonstrated knowledge of topical administrative and technical issues touching on the portfolios to which they had been nominated. They have the requisite abilities, academic qualifications, and professional experience to be approved for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries. Notably, Ms Hanna Wendot, is an accomplished lawyer who has worked in the Ministry of Cooperatives in the public service, and also worked in the private sector, running as a managing partner in a law firm together with her late husband, the late Senator Cheptumo. Hon. Geoffrey Ruku is our colleague, and has been in public service, at least, for the last two and a half years. He has immense experience in the private sector. Hon. Ruku, having been elected by the people of Mbere North two and a half years ago, he has served them with a lot of commitment and dedication. It was also notable that Hon. Geoffrey Ruku has been a very dedicated Legislator. We noticed that even this morning, he was here very early. It is not because his name was appearing on the Order Paper but because he has been very diligent. Members of this House will bear me witness that he is among the best First-Time Members of this House. When he got to this House, he used to sit somewhere at the back. But at some point, he moved to the seat next to the Parliamentary Service Commissioners next to you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. From his height, you cannot fail to notice him. And maybe because of his height and physique, he has had the opportunity to contribute immensely to many debates on Motions and Bills in this House. I must give him credit because he has been an avid debater who has actively participated in legislating. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}