The Parliamentary Committee on Appointments report has approved the nomination of Mutahi Kagwe, William Kabogo and Lee Kinyanjui for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries.
The latest development was announced in a special sitting in parliament by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
If their appointments are approved, Mutahi Kagwe will take up the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, William Kabogo will take up the Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy and Lee Kinyanjui will head the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industries.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Article 152 (2) of the constitution and Section 3 (8) of the Public Appointments Parliamentary Approvals Act, this House approves the appointment of the following persons as Cabinet secretaries; Mutahi Kagwe, in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, William Kabogo in the Information, Communication and Digital Economy, Lee Kinyanjui to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industries,” Ichung’wah said.
Kagwe’s stance
Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments at Parliament buildings in Nairobi on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Mutahi Kagwe promised to implement a fun and engaging initiative to encourage the youth to venture into agriculture if approved as CS.
Kagwe explained that the current agriculture system is too boring for young people to engage in.
“When we say the youth want to be involved in agriculture, which part are we talking about because it is not saying just to grow crops, for example, tourism in agriculture is being involved in it. When you travel all over the world and you see yourself being taken to places where they grow all sorts of things in other nations, that’s an area that can be attractive to the youth.
The former Health Cabinet Secretary also shared his opinion on the mandatory vaccination of livestock saying if his nomination is approved, the vaccination drive will be made optional.
He argued that the only way the vaccine can be administered is if farmers give direct permission. In addition to this, Kagwe promised to engage experts and other stakeholders to create proper public awareness of the importance of the jab if approved by the House.
“On the livestock vaccine, we need to involve all relevant stakeholders with the right information. The owner of the livestock has a choice on whether their livestock should or should not be vaccinated,” he said
Dealing with AI
Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, on his part, declared his intention to apply different approaches in dealing with harmful content on social media and the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Kabogo first acknowledged that Kenya was not the only country facing challenges involving the use of social media. He referred to some of the developed nations which he argued were dealing with the same issue currently bedevilling the country.
If approved, he pledged to use the already established and constitutionally recognised mechanisms to address some of the issues including fake news, misinformation, cyberbullying and cyber attacks among others.
Cabinet reshuffle
On December 19, 2024, as part of a cabinet reshuffle, Salim Mvurya was moved to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports.
Previously serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, this new role positions Mvurya to further President Ruto’s vision for youth empowerment and sports development.
Furthermore, Kipchumba Murkomen was transferred from the Ministry of Sports to the Ministry of Interior.
