Rejection of Monica Juma by MPs raises political temperatures

Pressure is now mounting on President Uhuru Kenyatta to resubmit the name of Monica Juma to Parliament for re-vetting as senior personalities and institutions express their displeasure on how the National Assembly handled Monica’s vetting and approval process.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery says Monica Juma, who worked as PS in his ministry, is a highly qualified for the position of Secretary to the Cabinet and that the rejection should be reversed.

This comes even as a section of members of the National Assembly maintained that the independence of Parliament must not be interfered with.

Monica Juma’s hope of rising through the ranks to become secretary to the cabinet went up in smoke on Thursday, but a campaign dubbed #OperationOkoaMonica could present her with another opportunity, will calls for President Kenyatta to resend her name to parliament for reconsideration.

In his statement, Nkaissery says: “I wish to urge His Excellency the President Hon Uhuru Kenyatta to resubmit Amb Juma’s name and for MPs to look beyond personal interests and work for the good of the nation and not to deny Kenyans good service”

The Private Sector has also expressed its displeasure over the National Assembly’s rejection of the nomination of Monica Juma and now wants parliament to reconsider its position. In a letter to the President, KEPSA wrote: “We urge the National Assembly to reconsider its stand on the appointment of Amb Juma as the decision could set a dangerous precedent for other bodies with an oversight role in the nomination and secondment of State Officers.”

MPs have overstepped their mandate

The Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has petitioned the President to find that the National Assembly overstepped its mandate in rejecting Monica Juma. In its petition to the President, COFEK wrote: “Your Excellency, COFEK and majority of Kenyans from all walks of life felt the National Assembly had no legal, moral or professional reason to casually reject the appointment solely on basis of possible vendetta and other extraneous reasons unknown within the spirit and letter of the vetting law.”

Deputy President William Ruto has continued to lash at the MPs accusing them of abusing their parliamentary powers.

“The role of the parliament was to check academic qualifications, integrity and experience. Other things are not relevant,” said Ruto.

CORD leader Raila Odinga, says the reasons given by the MPs were flimsy and cannot be used to disqualify Monica Juma, sentiments echoed by NARC Kenya Leader Martha Karua.

“I’m pained that the lady was denied an opportunity to serve Kenyans on very unconvincing reasons,” said Odinga.

And as the debate rages on, questions have been raised as to whether the President can resubmit Monica Juma’s name to Parliament before the lapse of the six months given for reintroduction of a defeated motion.