Kenyans have taken to social media to laud Samburu West MP Hon. Naisula Lesuuda for her impeccable conduct during the Cabinet Nominees Vetting by the National Assembly.
All Cabinet nominees by President William Ruto in his new broad-based government were subjected to intensive scrutiny by the Departmental Committee on Parliamentary Approvals, focusing on each candidate’s suitability, eligibility and ability to serve Kenyans.
The committee is chaired by National Assembly Speaker Hon. Moses Wetangula, with Lesuuda being a notable member.
Kenyans were quick to note how Naisula Lesuuda asked pertinent questions ranging from peace and youth affairs to dealing with cartels in various departments.
She not only interrogated the nominees’ knowledge of their dockets but also assessed their temperament, holding them to account for their past utterances.
The two-time elected vocal legislator has been on a political rise, with her articulate, objective and thorough questioning during the vetting setting her apart as an outstanding MP.
One of the standout moments was when she put nominees to task, asking them to explain how their past utterances against government policies would align with their new positions as cabinet secretaries.
In a notable exchange, she pinned down Finance CS Nominee John Mbadi, who had previously referred to Ruto’s cabinet as a skunk while serving as an MP.
“You are on record in Parliament, during the previous vetting of CSs. You referred to the nominees as a skunk. Now you find yourself as a nominee. Are you a skunk?” Lesuuda posed to him during the vetting.
“I have a duty to vet and approve the President’s nominees. I am moving to the other side of the Executive. It is now the duty of Hon. Lesuuda to determine whether I am a skunk or otherwise.” Mbadi said in his defence.
Another memorable moment was her questioning of CS Nominee for Mining, Ali Hassan Joho.
Lesuuda quoted Joho’s past statement about President Ruto in 2022, when he stated:
“I don’t ever dream of engaging with Ruto. Mimi niongee na Ruto? Tuongee nini?”
She then challenged him, “If this committee approves you, you will be sitting in a cabinet where the President will be chairing. I would like to know ‘mtaongea nini’ in that cabinet.”
Lesuuda also tasked Joho with explaining more about tax exemptions on exploration expenses, highlighting concerns about individuals exploiting these exemptions for 30 to 40 years.
Back home, Lesuuda’s development track record is equally impressive. In 2015, she was among nine other African women selected for the Leadership, Governance and Globalization Forum for Strategic Leadership at Yale University. That same year, she received the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Wedge Award for Outstanding Professional Women.
In 2017, she was named one of Mipad Global’s top 100 under 40 most influential people of African descent in politics and governance, and was also selected by the World Economic Forum among 100 young leaders under 40 tackling the world’s most complex challenges.
In 2018, she was one of five winners of the inaugural One Young World Awards, receiving the World Politician of the Year Award for her outstanding contribution to peace and education in her community.
In Parliament, Lesuuda has held several leadership positions, including Chairperson of Broadcasting and Library and Chairperson of Regional Integration. She is currently the Vice Chairperson of PIC Education and Governance and a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
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