The local newspapers on Friday, August 2, majorly spared its pages for the ongoing vetting of the Cabinet nominees in the National Assembly.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Elsewhere, Raila Odinga is said to have met President William Ruto and agreed to undertaking a major constitutional change that would alter the system of governance in Kenya.
1. The Star
The publication spotlighted the purported plan by President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga to have a relook into the constitution.
The duo is reported to have met and deliberated on the plan.
Raila met with his Azimio co-principals on Wednesday, July 31, to whom he mooted the idea.
He sought to convince his colleages to accede to the calls for a national conversation during which the talk of constitutional change would be sneaked in.
But the other Azimio principals would not take any of it.
The Star reported that Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni objected to the talk.
They said Kenyans had lost confidence in Ruto and his administration and thus no dialogue would redeem him.
“Raila had that in mind, but we said we are not ready for that. We are not available for a national conversation. We cannot have a boardroom engagements with Ruto because Kenyans have no faith in him,” Kioni was quoted by The Star as saying.
Raila has always vouched for the parliamentary system in Kenya, as opposed to the presidential one that has been in force.
The opposotion has lately been dissarayed, the entry of top ODM officials into the Cabinet compounding things.
Even as Raila restated that the Cabinet nominations did not connote to the opposition partnering with the government, some of his co-principals believe otherwise.
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua quit the coalition last week.
2. Daily Nation
The daily reported on the ongoing vetting of the Cabinet nominees.
The exercise started on Thursday, August 1, the National assembly Committee on Appointment getting to question five nominees.
To start off the process was nominee for the Interior Ministry Kithure Kindiki, who was put to task over the action by the police during the recent youth-led protests that left at least 60 dead.
The protests occured during the tenure of Kindiki as the Interior CS before he was dismissed alongside his colleagues.
Also to be grilled was Debra Mlongo, nominee for the Health Ministry, Alice Wahome (Lands and Public Works), Julius Migos (Education) and Roselinda Tuya (Defence).
The vetting continues on Friday, August 2, when Andrew Karanja (Agriculture), Aden Duale (Environment), Eric Muuga (Water), Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport) and Margaret Nyambura (ICT) will face the committee.
The committee is to vet and table the report to the National Assembly which will debate and determine the fate of the nominees.
3. Taifa Leo
The newspaper reported on the concerns raised by the United States on the ongoing vetting of the Cabinet nominees.
The US Embassy in Nairobi raised questions regarding the entire exercise. ‘
In a message, the US reminded the National Assembly of the importance of having people with integrity holding public offices.
A section of Kenyans has also raised integrity issues on some of the nominees unveiled by the head of state.
“As Kenyans look ahead to the vetting of Cabinet nominees beginning today, we recognise the importance of integrity in public service and the National Assembly’s vital role in upholding Chapter Six of Kenya’s Constitution,” said the Embassy.
The embassy’s message came moments after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) wrote to parliament seeking to have former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya obstructed from the vetting process.
The anti-graft body argued that Oparanya has a case to answer and that the file recommending his prosecution was already with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Oparanya is accused of allegedly embezzling KSh 1.3 billion during his tenure at the Kakamega county headquarters.
He was proposed to head the Co-operatives and MSMEs Development Ministry; he is scheduled to be vetted by parliament on August 4.
4. The Standard
The Standard reported on the ongoing probe by the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) into the conduct of the police during the recent protests.
Nairobi police regional commander Adamson Bungei was summoned and recorded a statement with the agency.
IPOA also questioned eight police commanders over the protests.
Lobby groups indicated that at least 60 people were killed, 66 others abducted, 601 injured and over 1,300 arrested.
IPOA chairperson Ann Makori howegfer said the agency was investigating 41 deaths...CONTINUE READING>>
