The National Assembly today adopted a Report of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining and the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment, and Natural Resources on approval hearings for nominees for appointment as members of the National Climate Change Council (NCCC).

 The Report recommended the approval for appointment of three out of the four nominees. Those approved for appointment were Ms. Emily Mwende Waita, Mr. John Kioli and Prof. George Odera Outa, to the Council.

 However, the nomination of Ms. Umra Omar was rejected by the Committee on several grounds including the one that the nominee did not demonstrate knowledge of the job. The Report stated that, “Ms. Omar did not demonstrate knowledge of topical, technical and administrative issues touching on the matters relating to indigenous knowledge during her approval hearing”.

 As a result, the Committee submitted that the nominee lacked the requisite abilities and experience to serve as a member of the National Climate Change Council.

 Further, the Report indicated that from Ms. Omar’s general demeanor during the approval hearing coupled with her unclear responses to the topical questions, she appeared not to be adequately prepared and displayed a general lack of interest in the job.

 “The Committee therefore recommends that Parliament rejects the nomination of Umra Omar for the appointment as a member of the National Climate Change Council by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya”, said part of the Report.

 The Council whose Chair is His Excellency President (Dr). William Ruto, is mandated to ensure mainstreaming of climate change function by both the national and county governments and to administer the Climate Change Fund.