National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who chairs the parliamentary committee vetting cabinet nominees, strongly defended the Labor Cabinet Secretary nominee, Alfred Mutua, against questions about his marital status.
Speaking early Sunday at a hall in Nairobi County, Wetang'ula silenced Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, who had asked Mutua to clarify his current marital status.
"Briefly, you are likely to be confirmed as the Labour Cabinet Secretary. Kenyans think that perhaps you should reduce these dramas regarding your marital status, as it could tarnish your image or put you in a negative light," Mishi Mboko asked.
However, before Mutua could respond, the committee chair, Speaker Wetang'ula, interrupted Mboko, stating that there is no requirement for someone to be married to hold a ministerial position.
"There is no criterion for anyone to be married to serve in a government office in this country. This committee will not open anyone's bedroom door," Wetang'ula said before Mutua smiled with laughter.
The issue of Mutua's marital life has been a hot topic on social media since late 2021 when he separated from his former wife, Lillian Ng'ang'a, with whom he had lived as husband and wife for over 10 years.
If approved, the former Tourism Minister will take over from Florence Bore in the Ministry of Labour.
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