Ichung’wah Explains Why Stella Soi Langat’s CS Nomination Was Rejected
The National Assembly Committee on Appointments has firmly rejected Stella Lang’at’s ambitious nomination to lead the Ministry of Public Service, Youth, and Gender Affairs.
This rejection stemmed from serious concerns regarding her suitability for the position, highlighted by her frequent job transitions and a perceived lack of comprehensive understanding of the gender docket.
On August 7, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah presented the committee’s report to the House, detailing the reasons behind the controversial decision.
Ichung’wah, reflecting the committee’s unanimous opinion, pointed out that Lang’at’s career, marked by numerous short-term roles, did not exhibit the stability and strategic vision required for a high-level ministerial role.
“The nominee’s career has been characterized by frequent transitions, with each role lacking the long-term strategic planning crucial for effectively leading a ministry,” Ichung’wa emphasized, underlining the committee’s concern that Lang’at had not established a strong foundation in any specific leadership capacity within the public service.
The committee’s report provided a clear assessment, indicating that Lang’at’s diverse roles—from Director of Administration at the State Department of Housing and Urban Development to Senior Deputy County Commissioner in Nyamira—had not adequately prepared her for the challenges of the Ministry of Public Service, Youth, and Gender Affairs.
“This frequent role-switching has resulted in a lack of grounding in any leadership area,” Ichung’wa elaborated. “Moreover, the nominee struggled to demonstrate sufficient understanding of the administrative and technical issues essential to the ministry she was set to oversee.”
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Lang’at, currently the Director of Administration at the Ministry of Interior and Administration, has had a lengthy career in public service, including roles such as Bomet County Secretary from 2020 to 2021 and previous positions as Deputy County Commissioner in various counties.
Despite her extensive experience, the committee felt these roles did not meet the high expectations for a Cabinet Secretary.
Crucially, Ichung’wa noted that Lang’at had not responded satisfactorily to the Approval Committee’s questions, further diminishing confidence in her ability to effectively serve in the proposed role.
“It was clear from the approval process that the nominee did not meet the standards we expect for such an important position,” Ichung’wa stated.
This decision marked a significant moment in President William Ruto’s ongoing Cabinet reshuffle.
Out of the 20 nominees proposed by the President, the committee endorsed 19, making Lang’at’s rejection a notable exception.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, echoed the committee’s sentiment, highlighting that Lang’at’s appointment would not meet public expectations or statutory requirements for the role.
Lang’at holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s in Public Administration from Moi University. Despite these qualifications, the committee concluded that her practical experience did not align with the strategic needs of the gender ministry.
Ichung’wah Explains Why Stella Soi Langat’s CS Nomination Was Rejected
