On December 11, 2024, the Kenyan National Assembly moved quickly to dismiss a memo that had circulated online, claiming that former Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang'i, Mutahi Kagwe, and others were nominated for various ministerial positions.
The memo, which garnered significant attention and raised public concern, was flagged as fake by the legislature.
The document, which bore the signature of the Clerk of the National Assembly, had been addressed to the CEO of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), requesting background checks on several individuals allegedly nominated to cabinet positions.
The purported memo listed prominent figures such as Matiang'i, the former Education Cabinet Secretary, Kagwe, who had served as the Health CS, Peter Munya, the former Agriculture CS, and other political figures aligned with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
These individuals were purportedly being considered for ministerial roles in key sectors, including education, health, agriculture, water, and roads.
The inclusion of these names, particularly those closely associated with the previous administration, sparked speculation about the possible inclusion of Uhuru’s allies in President William Ruto's government.
However, the National Assembly quickly refuted these claims, stressing that the memo was a forgery.
In a statement, the legislature clarified that the document was not issued by the National Assembly and that it should be disregarded.
The Assembly emphasized that such a process of vetting for Cabinet Secretaries typically follows a clear constitutional procedure.
According to the law, once the President nominates individuals for Cabinet positions, the National Assembly directs the EACC to conduct thorough background checks to ensure the nominees meet ethical and legal requirements.
The timing of the fake memo, coming shortly after a meeting between President Ruto and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on December 9, fueled public speculation about the possibility of a "broad-based" government, incorporating leaders from different political factions.
While both the President and Uhuru’s communication teams clarified that their meeting focused on national and regional issues, the fake memo ignited further debates.
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