The National Assembly will on Friday, 20th February 2026, conduct approval hearings for two key presidential nominees, setting the stage for scrutiny of appointments to the United Nations Environment Programme and the Public Service Commission.
The vetting sessions mark the next step in Parliament’s constitutional role of reviewing and approving senior state appointments.
In a formal notice issued under the Thirteenth Parliament, Fifth Session of 2026, the House confirmed that Ida Odinga has been nominated for appointment as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, while Francis Meja has been nominated to serve as Chairperson of the Public Service Commission.
The communication states that the approval process will be carried out in line with Articles 118(1)(b), 132(2), 233(2) and 250(2)(c) of the Constitution, together with the relevant sections of the Foreign Service Act and the Public Service Commission Act.
The notice further explains the constitutional basis of the nominations. “in accordance with provisions of Articles 132(2)(e), 233(2) and 250(2) of the Constitution… His Excellency the President is empowered to nominate and with the approval of the National Assembly, appoint High Commissioners, Ambassadors and Diplomatic and Consular Representatives and the Chairperson of a Commission.”
President William Ruto forwarded the names of Ida Odinga, EGH, and Francis Meja to the House for consideration. After receiving the message, the Speaker presented the nominations to Members of Parliament on Tuesday, 10th February 2026. The nominees’ names and their curricula vitae were then referred to the relevant departmental committees for review and reporting back to the House.
Ida Odinga will appear before the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. Her session will take place at the Mini Chamber, County Hall, First Floor, beginning at 10:00am.
Francis Meja will be vetted by the Departmental Committee on Labour. His hearing is scheduled for 10:00am at Bunge Tower, Third Floor, Room 18.
Parliament has also opened the process to public participation. “It is notified to the general public that pursuant to Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the Departmental Committees shall conduct Approval Hearings (Vetting) of the nominees,” the notice reads.
Members of the public have been invited to submit memoranda ahead of the hearings as part of the Assembly’s oversight function. The committees are expected to consider the views received before presenting their reports to the House for debate and decision.
