Finally, after days of speculation, former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has accepted his nomination as the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry. He is scheduled to appear before the Committee on Appointments on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for vetting.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Mr. Kinyanjui conveyed his deep appreciation to President William Ruto for entrusting him with the significant responsibility of steering the critical Investments, Trade, and Industry docket. He expressed his honor and commitment to the role, stating that he accepted the nomination “for God and country,” a phrase that underscored his dedication to service and patriotism.
“As always, integrity, respect for the Constitution, and honesty shall guide my way,” he wrote, putting to rest mixed reactions. Some critics suggested that accepting the nomination would amount to ‘political suicide’, jeopardizing his chances for a 2027 re-election bid. Others viewed the decision as an act of patriotism, a commitment to leadership, and an opportunity to extend his Nakuru County development legacy to the national stage.
Mr. Kinyanjui, who served as Nakuru Governor from 2017 to 2022, and left behind an impressive development record, is among three individuals nominated by President William Ruto for Cabinet Secretary positions. The other nominees include Mr. Mutahi Kagwe, a former Health Cabinet Secretary under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been proposed to lead the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, nominated for the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy.
According to a public notice by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, the vetting will be chaired by National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula and will take place at County Hall, Parliament Buildings.
“The vetting process will begin at noon with Kagwe, followed by Kabogo at 3:00 p.m. and Kinyanjui at 5:00 p.m. Additionally, the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations will conduct approval hearings for diplomatic appointments on Friday, January 10, 2025,” read a section of the notice.
Among the nominees is Ms. Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, who has been nominated as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Accra, Ghana. She will appear before the committee, chaired by Belgut MP Hon. Nelson Koech, at 9:00 a.m.
Dr. Andrew Karanja, the former Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, has been nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil and is scheduled for vetting at 11:00 a.m. Hon. Ababu Namwamba, the former Sports Cabinet Secretary, will appear at 2:00 p.m. for vetting as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi. Former Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow, nominated as Consul-General to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, will close the session at 4:00 p.m.
Separately, the Departmental Committee on Labour will vet nominees for the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Former Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Service, Mary Wanjira Kimonye, has been nominated as the Vice-Chairperson of the PSC. Other nominees for commission member positions include Harun Maalim Hassan, Boya Molu, Irene Cherotich Asienga, Francis Otieno Owino, Joan Andisi Machayo, and Francis Meja.
In the notice published in local dailies, the Clerk invited the public to submit sworn written statements contesting the suitability of any nominee, “Pursuant to Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and Section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), members of the public are encouraged to present affidavits with supporting evidence by January 3, 2025.”
He said submissions can be delivered to the Clerk’s Office at the Main Parliament Buildings, sent via post to P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi, or emailed to cna@parliament.go.ke.
The nominees are required to present original identification documents, academic and professional certificates, and compliance certificates from various regulatory bodies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
