Ex-Senator John Munyes claims credit for Kibaki’s appointment as special envoy

Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary nominee John Munyes on Thursday claimed credit for the Water Act that got former President Mwai Kibaki appointed as a special envoy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for water in Africa.

Appearing before the Committee on Appointments at County Hall chambers in Parliament, Munyes boasted his reform track record in the different ministries in which he has served including drafting of the Water Bill 2002 as the reason why the legislators should endorse his nomination.

“I have reformed every Ministry I have headed. The Water Act 2002 was my brainchild. Former president Mwai Kibaki was awarded by UNESCO because of that Act,” said the former Turkana Senator.

While branding himself as a performer, Munyes pointed out that as Labour Minister, he cracked down on cartels at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as well as ensured equity in food distribution to different parts of the country during his stint as Special Programs Minister during President Kibaki’s tenure.

When asked by Nakuru East MP David Gikaria how his ministry will share revenue from the sales of oil and titanium Munyes said: “We have a new Mining Act. It stipulates that 70%  of the revenue goes to the national government, 20% to the County and 10% to the host community.”

“Oil can be a curse. Look at Nigeria and Norway. What I will do is to deal with corruption and enure that the law is followed,”said Munyes in reference to the Mining Act 2016.

He further promised to fast track oil exploration in his home county and ensure that the country’s goals to produce clean oil by 2021 and build a pipeline from Lokichar to Lamu are met.

Munyes is one of the five cabinet secretaries that were vetted on Thursday following their nomination by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Others included Amb. Monica Juma, Prof. Margaret Kobia, Farida Karoney and Peter Munya.