The Committee on Appointments, led by Speaker of the National Assembly Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, on Monday held intense approval hearings for two nominees appointed by His Excellency President William Ruto.

Hon. Geoffrey K. Kiringa Ruku, the current Member of Parliament for Mbeere North Constituency, has been nominated for the position of Cabinet Secretary in Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes. Meanwhile, Ms. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo has been nominated for the Cabinet Secretary position in Gender, Culture, The Arts, and Heritage.

Both nominees faced rigorous questioning as Members of the National Assembly probed their qualifications, views, and commitment to addressing critical national issues.

Hon. Ruku, who was the first nominee to appear before the Committee, shared his deep commitment to public service, particularly in safeguarding the interests of his constituents in Mbeere North.

 “If approved, I will extend my dedication to all Kenyans. Whether in Turkana, Mandera, or any other part of the country, I’ll ensure efficient service delivery without fear or favor.” he said.

Hon. Ruku’s passion for reform was evident as he spoke about addressing corruption, a pressing issue he believes undermines the country’s development.

 “Kenya loses billions through corruption, not just from theft, but also from lengthy investigations and prosecutions,” he said, advocating for stronger laws to expedite justice.

“The Corruption and Economic Crimes Act needs revision to ensure swifter prosecution and more effective resource management,” Ruku added.

On the topic of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Ruku raised concerns about bribery within the system, which he claimed hinders deserving teachers from receiving promotions.

He further vowed to tackle corruption and implement reforms to address wage bill concerns, delayed salaries, and ghost workers in the public service.

On tackling the issues of ghost workers within the civil service, Hon. Ruku promised to set up digital systems to track work attendance and delivery of service.

 “It’s true we are experiencing ghost workers in public service. We have cases where Doctors or Nurses appear in a facility & within 10 minutes they disappear, we have Procurement Officers who are supposed to dispose utilities but make government loose money, they are all ghost workers”, noted Hon. Ruku.  

He further indicated that institutions need to report to each other. Time sheet to be digitized so that staff are monitored through a unified digital government framework which he said will enable us to solve some of these challenges in cutting cost & ensuring time bound delivery of services.

“We need a unified digital system to track attendance and improve efficiency,” Ruku proposed.

Ms. Cheptumo, the nominee for Cabinet Secretary in Gender, Culture, The Arts, and Heritage, spoke passionately about her commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and promoting Kenya's cultural heritage.

Hailing from a region with a high prevalence of GBV, Cheptumo emphasized her focus on creating comprehensive support systems for survivors.

“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 affirmed.

In response to questions about harmful traditional practices like FGM and early marriages, Cheptumo committed to working with community leaders, including religious figures, to address these issues.

She proposed the establishment of gender desks at police stations, which would offer support to GBV survivors, and recommended relocating these desks to hospitals to provide a safe and compassionate environment for medical and psychosocial assistance.

Cheptumo also addressed the role of Kenya's diverse cultural heritage in a rapidly globalizing world.

 “Kenya’s cultural diversity is a treasure that needs to be celebrated and preserved for future generations and stressing the importance of protecting traditional practices like the Bukusu circumcision rites.

She also proposed initiatives to repatriate cultural artifacts currently held in foreign museums, ensuring that Kenya’s cultural history is safeguarded.

Both nominees faced pointed questions about their strategies for addressing key national challenges, including the bloated wage bill, public service delivery efficiency, and the preservation of personal data, especially in Huduma Centres.

Hon. Ruku promised to expand the number of Huduma Centres and enhance digital services to reduce physical interactions, thus promoting transparency and reducing corruption.

Ms. Cheptumo, on the other hand, was asked about her plans to support local artists and preserve Kenya’s cultural identity.

She proposed mentorship programs for artists at the grassroots level, ensuring fair remuneration and working closely with county governments to create platforms for artistic expression.

She also stressed the importance of working with schools and communities to safeguard traditional values and prevent cultural erosion.

The Committee on Appointments is expected to retreat and write a report on the on the nominees’ suitability for the positions and further table the report before the House for consideration.