Former Woman Rep, Ex-Deputy Governor Approved for Chief Officer Dockets at City Hall 

Former Baringo County Woman Representative, Gladwel Cheruiyot and ex – Machakos county deputy governor, Bernard Muia Kiala were approved for appointment by a special sitting of the House on Tuesday, 21st May, 2024.

The two are among six nominees who were approved by the county assembly. They also include former County Executive Committee Member in Kiambu county and politician, Dr Machel Waikenda.

Members of the County Assembly approved the nominees after reports of their vetting by relevant House committees were tabled by the respective chairpersons.

Ms Cheruiyot was endorsed for appointment as Chief Officer for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources in Nairobi City County Government. Mr Kiala will serve as Chief Officer for Buroughs and Sub – County Administration upon appointment.

In his contribution, Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai said the Sectoral Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries found Ms Cheruiyot to be suitable for appointment to revive the “dead” sector.

Mr Alai moved the plenary into a light moment when he said Agriculture Sector had became a “mortuary for careers” in the county government over the years.

During the special sitting chaired by Speaker Ken Ng’ondi, South B Ward MCA Waithera Chege faced – off with the Leader of Majority, Peter Imwatok over alleged irregularities in the nomination process that was conducted by the County Public Service Board.

Standing on a point of order, Waithera, who is also the Deputy Leader of Minority told the plenary that some of the nominees were shortlisted although they skipped interviews by the Board.

But in response, Mr Imwatok who is the leader of government business in the House, vehemently discounted her claims, arguing that all the nominees went through the interview process.

“Mr Speaker, all procedures have been fulfilled for the six nominees and Members in respective committees have vetted them according to the law”, Imwatok submitted.

The House heard that Mr Kiala first applied for the position of chief officer in 2022 but was not picked. He made a second attempt this year, 2024 and was called for interview through the Board.

Mr Imwatok told the plenary that having served as Deputy Governor of a county, Mr Kiala was very qualified to serve in a sector. He is slated for appointment as Chief Officer for Buroughs and Sub – County Administration.

In his support for the nominee, the chairperson of the Sectoral Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, Mr Jared Akama said Buroughs and Sub – County Administration were the face of devolution.

Other nominees who were approved for appointment as Chief Officers are Mr David Sande Oyolo Alukhome for Digital Economy and Start – ups, Ms Jane Wangui for Markets and Trade and Ms Amina Mohammed for Wellness, Nutrition and School Feeding.

Governor Sakaja is expected to make the appointments when he returns from an overseas trip. He is in President William Ruto’s entourage on State Visit to the United States of America.

Speaking on a point of order, Highrise MCA Kennedy Oyugi sought to have claims by Waithera expunged from the hansard. He argued that the claims were not substantiated yet the hansard record could be used as evidence incase of legal suits.

But Speaker Ken Ng’ondi ruled that every Member had the right to either support or oppose any debate in the House.

The Sectoral Committee on Planning and Housing failed to table its report on the nominee for Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Halkano Dida Wako.

That prompted the Speaker to draw the House to the Gazette Notice No.6264, which convened the special sitting.

It was purposely convened to consider reports of Nairobi City County Assembly sectoral committees on the vetting of seven nominees for appointment to positions of chief officers.

“Honourable Members, in the order paper as it appeared before the Assembly today, we have transacted up to six nominees”, the Speaker said.

“That calls for the Chair of the Planning committee to bring to speed the attention of the Assembly on the nominee for Housing and Lands, when the report is supposed to be before this House”, Mr Ng’ondi noted.

In his response, the Chair of Planning committee Mr Alvin Palapala told the House his Committee had run into some technicalities, but he did not disclose.

“Mr Speaker, I am the Chair Planning. We have had technicalities here and there but we are still within the agreed timelines. It is nothing to worry the House. When we are done, we will notify the House”, Mr Palapala informed the attentive Assembly.

In a stunning revelation, the Leader of Majority said some House Committees had become brokerage centres.

“I want to implore those MCAs who think that these committees can be brokerage centres. The House committees are not brokerage centres” Imwatok said.

He told Members involved in the vice not to conduct their brokerage activities in the Assembly.

“This is a House of procedure. Don’t bring your brokerage in appointment committees”, said the three – term Makongeni Ward MCA.