The joint committees of Senate Land, Environment and National Assembly’s Environment, Forestry and Mining have flatly rejected president William Ruto’s nominee Umra Omar for appointment as a member of the National Climate Change Council for lack of requisite knowledge on the broad understanding of the council’s mandate.
The committee ruled that she did not demonstrate knowledge of topical, technical and administrative issues touching on the matters relating to indigenous knowledge on Climate Change Act.
Omar becomes the first nominee under Kenya Kwanza administration to be rejected by Parliament.
Yesterday, in a report tabled in the House, the joint committee noted that Omar lacks the requisite abilities and experience to serve as a member of the Council.
“That the nominee, from her general demeanor during the approval hearing coupled with unclear responses to the topical questions, appeared not to be adequately pre- pared and displayed a general lack of interest. Consequently, the nominee lacks the requisite abilities and experience to serve as a member of the National Climate Change Council.” The report reads in part.
The panel was co-chaired by Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria.
Effectively, Umra’s fate now lies with the plenary of the two Houses of Parliament.
If the plenary rejects the committee recommendations, then she would land the job.
Last year, the plenary saved Tourism CS Pennina Malonza after it overturned a recommendation by the Appointment committee to reject her nomination.
Born in Lamu, Omar holds Masters of Arts (Social Justice: Intercultural Relations) from World Learning Institute USA, a BA degree (Neuro- science/Psychology) from Oberlin College (Ohio) and BA (Social Sciences) from University Bueno Aires.
However, the joint committee approved the nomination of Prof George Odera Outa, John Kioli Kalua and Emily Mwende Waita.
“Having considered the suitability, capacity and integrity of the nominees and pursuant to Article 132 (2) (f ) of the Constitution and Public Appointments (parliamentary approval) Act, the committees recom- mends to parliament approves the nomination of Waita, Kalua and Outa for appointment as members of the
National Climate Change Council,” reads part of the report. Section 5 of the Climate Change Act, 2016 establishes the National Climate Change Council, which is to be chaired by the President.
Under Section 6, the council is required to provide an overarching climate change coordination mechanism including ensuring the mainstreaming of the climate change function by the national and county governments.
