Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominees for President William Ruto’s Cabinet will formally resign from their party positions on Wednesday in preparation for the vetting process.
Cabinet Secretary nominees Hassan Joho (Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), and John Mbadi (Treasury) were prominent figures within the opposition party. Joho and Oparanya previously served as ODM deputy party leaders, Mbadi was the national party chairman, and Wandayi was the ODM Secretary for Political Affairs.
Current law permits Cabinet Secretaries to remain party members but prohibits them from holding any official party roles. Consequently, the four nominees will retain their lifetime membership in ODM while serving in the new administration.
According to Article 77 (2) of the Kenyan Constitution, “Any appointed state officer shall not hold office in a political party.” Mbadi clarified to the Star that their resignations pertain only to their party roles, not membership.
The National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, will commence a rigorous four-day vetting process on Thursday. The committee has indicated that this will be a thorough examination.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, a member of the panel, emphasized the seriousness of the vetting, stating, “If a nominee is not suitable, capable, or lacks the required capacity, we will reject them. We must ensure we do justice to Kenyans and carry out our duties diligently.”
The 20-member committee has outlined a schedule for the vetting process, with four nominees to be reviewed each day. The public has until Wednesday to submit any concerns about the nominees.
The vetting schedule is as follows:
August 1:
- Kithure Kindiki (Interior) at 8 a.m.
- Debra Mlongo (Health) at 10 a.m.
- Alice Wahome (Lands) at 12 p.m.
- Migos Ogamba (Education) at 3 p.m.
- Soipan Tuya (Defence) at 5 p.m.
August 2:
- Andrew Mwihia (Agriculture) at 8 a.m.
- Aden Duale (Environment) at 10 a.m.
- Eric Muuga (Water) at 12 p.m.
- Davis Chirchir (Transport) at 3 p.m.
- Margaret Ndung’u (ICT) at 5 p.m.
August 3:
- John Mbadi (Treasury) at 8 a.m.
- Salim Mvurya (Trade) at 10 a.m.
- Rebecca Miano (Tourism) at 12 p.m.
- Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) at 3 p.m.
- Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports) at 5 p.m.
August 4:
- Hassan Joho (Mining) at 8 a.m.
- Alfred Mutua (Labour) at 10 a.m.
- Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) at 12 p.m.
- Justin Muturi (Public Service) at 3 p.m.
- Stella Lang’at (Gender) at 5 p.m.
At least three petitions have been filed against some of the nominees, though details remain unspecified.
