Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was on Thursday, March 14, morning barred from taking part in the vetting of Education Cabinet Secretary nominee Professor George Magoha, held at Parliament. Babu’s request to be included in the proceeding as the friend of the committee was turned down by Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi who held the MP’s plea was unprocedural.
The Speaker revealed the vocal politician did not write to his office well in advance seeking permission to participate in Magoha’s approval hearing. The House Standing order 195 states that any non-member of a committee wishing to take part in a session should communicate to the Speaker of the National Assembly 24 hours before the commencement of the session.
Babu was eager to be among the 28 members in the committee led by Muturi vetting Magoha who is his former VC at the University of Nairobi. As reported earlier, the Professor was nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, March 1, to head the Education docket after Ambassador Amina Mohamed was moved to the Sports Ministry following the sacking of Rashid Echesa.