NAIROBI – The Parliament has approved the nominations of Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku and Hanna Cheptumo to serve in President William Root’s cabinet.
Ruku was approved to lead the dockets of public services, human capital development and special programs, while Cheptumo was approved as Cabinet Secretary of Gender.
Their appointments were given House support after being announced in a recent Cabinet reshuffle and kept on the table of reports chaired by the committee chaired by the Appointment Committee.
Cheptumo controversy
But Cheptumo’s approval is marked by intense debates in the House, with lawmakers across the political disparities sharply criticizing the controversial remarks she had about murder during her review.
While answering questions about how she plans to tackle gender-based violence, Cheptumo suggested that a female university student who became a victim of a recent wave of murders in her short-term apartment was targeted for being “chasing money.”
“They’re educated, but they’re looking for money… girls have a lot of needs,” she said.
The comments sparked outrage in the House, with many lawmakers accusing Cheptumo of issuing statements that could undermine the very mission she is supposed to lead.
Vice-Chair Gladys boss Shorey supported Cheptumo’s qualifications, but explained that her remarks were politically reckless.
“As much as I agree with Hannah Cheptumo’s majority leader on professionalism, I think the statement she made was unfortunate and completely politically wrong. She has to apologize,” Shorey said.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo expressed concern about how the Ministry of Gender has been treated in past appointments, and at the same time encouraged a more serious approach to assigning leadership to dockets.
“It’s a shame that this is a ministry that rejected three CSs in a very short time. Since July, there has been a shortage of substantial Cabinet Secretaries. The challenge goes back to the appointing authorities,” Odianbo said.
“I’m not saying she’s incompetent. She’s a very capable lawyer. But when we assign such a sensitive role to someone, we have to be careful. She’s apologised. Let her learn too.”
A serious approach to gendered bets
Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai defended Cheptumo, saying that her remarks could have been prevented from slipping under pressure.
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“It’s not easy to sit in that hot seat. She’s going to protect the girls and children we’re talking to. I ask you to be confident in your home,” Nyamai said.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed added the argument by controversially suggesting that the Gender Department should be guided by men, and by insisting on serving opposite genders.
“When you ask me, the Minister of Gender must be male because the gender is cut off. Men have ensured that gender equality is properly mainstreamed. Women are given the opportunity to deal with their problems, but they don’t take it seriously.”
Majority leader Kimani Ichinwa admitted that Chiputumo’s comments were unfortunate, but pointed out that she had apologised on social media platforms.
Meanwhile, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo raised constitutional concerns regarding Geoffrey Ruku’s participation in the House minutes despite his appointment to the Cabinet Post.
“Article 152 makes it clear that Cabinet officers should not be members of the parliament. Rukh should not have come to the House. His presence today raises questions about the separation of power between the parliament and the enforcer,” Amoro said.
Ichung’wah and Junet Mohamed opposed by citing the prior judgment by former chairman Justin Muturi.
