MPs approve Ruku, Cheptumo for Cabinet roles

Parliament on Wednesday, April 16, approved the appointment of Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku and Hannah Wendot Cheptumo to Cabinet positions.

The National Assembly also cleared the appointments of Carren Ageng’o as Principal Secretary, Children Welfare Services, Jacobs Fikirini (PS, Youth Affairs and Creative Economy), Ahmed Abdisalan (PS, National Government Coordination), and Dr Carolyne Karugu as East Africa Affairs Principal Secretary.

The nominees now await formal appointment by President William Ruto.

However, Ruku’s presence in Parliament during the debate on his nomination sparked constitutional concerns raised by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.

“I need your direction on at what point a member of this House appointed to the Cabinet should resign. Geoffrey Ruku should not have come to the House today. It brings into sharp focus the distinction between Parliament and the Executive,” said Amollo. 

"Article 152 (iii) is very clear—a Cabinet Secretary shall not be a Member of Parliament."

Although the vetting committee, through Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, endorsed the nominees, concerns were raised, particularly regarding the Ministry of Gender.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo called for a substantive appointment to the Ministry. 

“This is the Ministry that three times, we have rejected the CSs in a very short time. Since July, it has been without a substantive CS. The challenge goes back to the appointing authority—we need to take this Ministry seriously,” she said. 

“When we want to give somebody added responsibility, we need to think more seriously about it. Otherwise, she’s apologized—let her also learn.”

Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss echoed the need for accountability. 

“As much as I agree with the Leader of Majority on the professionalism of Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, I still think that the statement she made was unfortunate, politically incorrect, and she must apologize,” said Boss.

Kitui South MP Rachael Kaki came to Cheptumo’s defense. 

“Sitting on that hot seat is not easy, and someone can have a slip of the tongue. She is going to defend those girls we are talking about and the children,” Kaki said.

Cheptumo had faced criticism over remarks made during vetting, but reaffirmed her dedication to tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially in marginalized areas. 

“I want to see more programs for survivors and ensure that GBV education is included in school curricula to promote respect and equality from a young age,” she said.