NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 1 – The National Assembly has approved Samuel Njoroge as the new clerk of the House.
Njoroge was approved by the House following recommendation by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) who ranked him first among the four shortlisted candidates.
The motion to approve Njoroge as the clerk of the house for a five year contractual term was supported by 162 Members of Parliament against 94 who opposed.
According to PSC 48 Kenyans applied for the position, but only 4 were shortlisted.
The sitting was heated during the debate, as some members openly jeered Eldas MP Adan Keynan who is also a commissioner with the PSC.
Keynan defended the decision by the PSC chaired by Speaker Moses Wetangula that ranked Njoroge first, with acting clerk Serah Kioko being ranked fourth.
In the report tabled in the house, Njoroge emerged tops with 87.14 percent Mohammed Ali 76.79 percent, Eunice Wanjiku Gichangi 76.43 percent, Serah Kioko 75.18 percent.
“I really want to appeal to the members that the 4 individuals who were interviewed are all competent and highly qualified, but after the interviews, Samuel Njoroge emerged the best, and I really want to appeal to you to support him” Keynan said.
“The person who was acting reverts back to her previous position of being a deputy clerk, he has not been sacked, or he has not suspended, he continues to be part of the parliamentary service commission” he added.
The motion was seconded by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga who until he resigned to vie in the just concluded general elections was also a commissioner in the PSC, who asked MPs to support the decision by PSC.
“We may disagree with whether I should have been red, green or yellow that is preference, it has nothing with the law, we might not like the law, but we must follow the law, let us support the decision of the commission” he said.
