MPs Call on President Ruto to Sack Tourism CS Peninah Malonza
By Erick Ludeya
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage Peninah Malonza is in trouble yet again after Members of the National Assembly committee on Tourism and Wildlife called on President William Ruto to sack her.
The committee chaired by Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki has questioned the suitability of the CS,who they claim has shown little interest in addressing problems ailing her docket.
The committee was forced to suspend its session after learning that the CS was on a foreign trip in Jamaica despite being summoned to appear before it.
The MPs are aggrieved with Malonza’a lack of concern despite her docket suffering serious budget cuts in President William Ruto’s first mini-budget.
They claim that it is total lack of disrespect from the CS to not respond to their invite and instead chooses to fly out without any response.
“We have been made to understand that she travelled to Jamaica on 13th while the committee wrote to her on 8th of this month
The legislator accused Malonzo for showing incompetence and lack of seriousness in her docket.
His sentiments were supported by Kiambaa MP Njuguna Wanjiku who said that it is going to be difficult for the committee to work with her.
“If she is not able to communicate and say why she cannot appear we are wondering how we are going to be interacting with her in this ministry.
Malonza’s ministry was one of the government departments that were affected in the recent supplementary budget where the government slashed the total spending for the current financial year ending June by Sh14 billion.
In the first Supplementary Budget for Financial Year 2022/23, the National Treasury has cut development spending by Sh106.3 billion, with a substantial chop being on the State Department of Infrastructure and Water and Sanitation.
This is the second time the CS facing rebellion from MPs after the National Assembly Committee on Appointments in October 25 unanimously rejected her nomination to the docket.
In a notice of motion in Parliament, Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah said the Committee chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula had approved the nomination of the other 21 Cabinet Secretary nominees.
The committee unanimously agreed that Malonza lacks the requisite abilities and experience to serve as CS for Tourism.
“The nominee did not demonstrate knowledge on topical, administrative, and technical issues touching on the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.
“Consequently, the nominee lacks requisite abilities and experience to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage,” the committee said in a report tabled in Parliament.
Malonzo was however approved by a majority of MPs when the matter was subjected to voting.
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