In a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday 25th October afternoon, the parliamentary Committee of Appointments unanimously rejected the appointment of Penina Malonza as Cabinet Secretary. Malonza had been nominated by President Ruto to head the Tourism docket.

The report tabled by Majority Leader and Kikuyu Mp Kimani Ichungwa recommended the approval of all nominees apart from Penina Malonza. The announcement attracted some jeering from a section of the house. This prompted Speaker Moses Wetangula to step in and calm the waters.

“Order, order Honorable Members that is just a notice of motion, each one of you will have time to debate, ventilate and vote on this motion and you have a right to vote the way you want,” said Speaker Wetangula.

Penina Malonza had served as Makueni Deputy governor before falling out with the county boss in the runup to the August 9th election. They differed on whom to support in the titanic contest as Malonza supported Ruto and Kivutha Kibwana opted for Raila Odinga before signing a post election pact with Dr Ruto when he won.

The members of the August house will vote on the report and if the house votes to adopt the report, the names will be forwarded to the president for appointment.

However, Azimio Coalition Party Secretary General Junet Mohamed who was also a member of the committee stood on a point of order and revealed that there was also a minority report that had rejected three names. In addition to Malonza, they had rejected Aisha Jumwa (Public Service) and Mithika Linturi ( Agriculture).