{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Focus on Uhuru as House committee rejects nominee - Politics and policy

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Focus on Uhuru as House committee rejects nominee

Dr Monica Juma during vetting by a House committee at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI  

A parliamentary committee has rejected President Uhuru Kenyatta's nomination of Monica Juma for appointment as Secretary to the Cabinet because of a letter she wrote, complaining of MPs' frequent visits to her office.

Administration and National Security Committee chairman Asman Kamama gave notice of a motion seeking House rejection of Dr Juma, terming her arrogant and insensitive to needs of elected leaders.

The Committee on Selection chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi, however, approved the nomination of Eugene Wamalwa for appointment as Water and Irrigation secretary.

The committee report cited a letter Dr Juma wrote to House clerks — complaining about the number of visits and requests MPs made for transfers or employment of State workers — as the main reason for her rejection.

"It contravenes the spirit of Article 1 of the Constitution, which provides that sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance to this Constitution," noted the committee.

"By denying elected representatives access to a public office, the nominee is denying Kenyans a chance to exercise their sovereign authority in breach of Article 2(1) of the Constitution."

All MPs from the ruling coalition Jubilee in the committee signed the report rejecting Dr Juma, turning the spotlight on President Kenyatta.

Leader of Majority Aden Duale said debate on Dr Juma's nomination will come before today's reading of the national Budget —which is set for 2.30pm. President Kenyatta who has majority in the House could whip his Jubilee troops to amend the report and have Dr Juma approved.

The Jubilee MPs forced through the appointment of East African Community minister Phyllis Kandie after the vetting panel had rejected her nomination.

Dr Juma had in October 2014 written to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) requesting that MPs and Senators be informed about the challenge of honouring employment and transfer requests since it constituted a breach of the Civil Service code of regulation.

"In light of this, I request that you kindly inform MPs and Senators about this challenge and reassure them that the management of the Ministry of Interior is committed to observe the procedures and fair administrative action as it relates to all staff within the confines of law and laid down criteria," she wrote in a letter copied to Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Public Service Commission secretary Alice Otwala and Principal Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Devolution Juster Nkoroi.

The committee said the letter was in bad taste. "Although the nominee has good academic credentials, she lacked a practical approach in dealing with the public and elected representatives. She displayed arrogance and insensitivity to the needs and concerns of the public and their elected leaders," the committee said.

Dr Juma has previously served as Kenya's ambassador to Ethiopia and Defence PS. She is currently Interior and National Co-ordination PS.

The National Assembly Committee on Administration and National Security, which vetted Dr Juma, said she had failed to articulate her achievements in the Defence and Interior ministry dockets.

"There was a noticeable rise in insecurity during her tenure as PS interior. The nominee lacked demonstrable passion to serve the public and their elected leaders," the committee said.

Focus on Uhuru as House committee rejects nominee - Politics and policy

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Focus-on-Uhuru-as-House-committee-rejects-nominee/-/539546/2747372/-/4f4ve7/-/index.html

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