Speaker of Parliament Moses Wetangura has called on Cabinet nominees John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandai to keep channels of communication open with MPs once they are sworn in.
Mbadi will take up the post of Minister of Finance and Wandai as Secretary to the Ministry of Energy after the House of Representatives approved the report of the Appointments Committee and ratified their nominations.
The Speaker said that both men had served as Members of Parliament and knew what MPs went through when negotiating with Ministers.
“It will be the saddest speaker in the history of Kenya to hear MPs complain that they are not opening their doors, not answering their calls and not even addressing the issues that are brought to them,” he said.
President William Ruto appointed Messrs Wanda and Mbadi to his cabinet despite them being members of the opposition ODM party.
The president said he needed someone in a broad-based government who would represent the face of the country.
Mr Wandai is the Member of Parliament for Ugunja while Mr Mbadi was nominated by ODM to serve in the House of Representatives.
Mr Wetangulla congratulated the pair on their confirmation in the House of Representatives and asked them to mentor other ministers who have not previously served as MPs.
“Go out and set the pace. Coach those who haven’t had the opportunity to come to this Congress on how to interact with their constituents,” he urged.
“Whatever position you hold, please write your letter of resignation as a member of parliament and submit it to this parliament. I wish you all the best,” he added.
The Speaker also called on other Cabinet members approved by the House to “discharge their Cabinet duties in assisting the President to move the country forward.”
“You are not ministers of any political party. You are ministers of the Republic of Kenya and you work for the people of Kenya. I want to see you in Turkana, Lamu, Kwale, Kiambu, Narok. I want to see you everywhere so that the whole country can feel and appreciate your presence,” he said.