County governments across the country are undergoing sweeping changes as governors reshuffle their cabinets with pledges of reform and improved service delivery.
But beneath the official rhetoric, a growing number of citizens and analysts are raising questions on whether these reshuffles are genuinely meant to bring positive change, or are calculated political moves dressed in the language of accountability.
At least 10 governors have reshuffled their cabinets this year, majority attracting backlash for failing to fire officials deemed incompetent.
In Machakos, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, Isiolo, and down to the coastal county of Mombasa, recent weeks have seen governors announce executive overhauls, some quietly, others with media fanfare.
The trend, which many tie to emerging political alliances and the looming 2027 elections, has exposed the thin line between governance and politics in devolved units.
In Machakos, last week’s announcement of a cabinet reshuffle by Governor Wavinya Ndeti sparked more discontent than celebration.
On September 11, County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki circulated a memo that outlined changes in the County Executive Committee (CECM), ostensibly aimed at aligning county leadership with “public outcome expectations.”
Among the headline changes was the redeployment of Onesmus Muia Kuyu, the CECM for Finance, to the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, Environment, and Climate Change, a move interpreted by insiders as a strategic demotion.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti.
Photo credit: File | Nation
Kuyu, an economist by training, was overseeing one of the county’s most sensitive portfolios until what sources claim was a falling out with the Finance Chief Officer.
Replacing him is Catherine Mutanu, formerly CECM for Agriculture and Water. Her new posting at the Treasury has not gone unchallenged. Critics point to lingering integrity issues from her previous stint, concerns the administration has yet to address.
Even more controversial is the return of Rita Ndunge Ndunda, who was suspended in 2024 over allegations of soliciting bribes from members of the public. Though she was reinstated earlier this year and placed at the Water docket, the latest changes see her head the Agriculture department.
“This is not reform; it’s a recycling of tainted officials,” said political analyst Anwar Ali. “If this is what transparency looks like in Machakos, the county is in trouble.”
Civil society groups echoed that sentiment. Carlos Kioko of the Machakos Oversight Caucus called the reshuffle a “power play” rather than a governance solution.
“Revenue mismanagement, ailing healthcare, and corruption are the real problems. Swapping offices won’t fix that,” said Mr Kioko.
As the reshuffle comes amid recurring doctors' and nurses’ strikes, unpaid benefits, and a recent scandal involving 36 suspended revenue clerks, residents like Jane Kalii are disillusioned.
“Moving officials from one ministry to another doesn’t clean the house—it just moves the dirt around,” she told Daily Nation .
In Trans Nzoia, Governor George Natembeya’s recent cabinet overhaul is being read as a more calculated political move. Four new CECMs were nominated to replace those dismissed earlier in the year, a decision tabled at the County Assembly by Minority Leader Boniface Cheloti.
Among the nominees is Pius Gumo, a known political figure and former Endebess MP aspirant, tipped to head Lands and Housing. Also on the list is Robert Wamalwa, brother to former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, who has been nominated to oversee Public Service Management.
Observers say these appointments are less about service delivery and more about assembling a loyal inner circle ahead of 2027.
“Governor Natembeya is consolidating his power base,” said Promise Opaa, a political observer in Kitale. “Every name on that list is politically significant.”
While some residents have welcomed the appointments as a fresh start, others remain skeptical.
“Let’s not kid ourselves. If politics is driving service delivery, we’re going to hit a wall sooner than later,” said local activist Melisa Kirwa.
In Vihiga County, Governor Wilber Ottichilo’s reshuffle affected no fewer than nine executive members, including transfers across diverse departments, Health, Finance, Education, Gender, and Lands.
According to Executive Order No 1 of 2025, the governor argued that the reshuffle aligns performance goals with department mandates. Notable movements include Prof Mike Iravo from Infrastructure to Physical Planning, and Meshack Mulongo, who now heads Finance after leading the Environment docket.
But for many residents, the reshuffle only deepened a sense of disconnect between county leadership and grassroots realities.
Vihiga Governor Wilberforce Otichilo.
Photo credit: File Photo | Nation Media Group
In Isiolo, the reshuffle came barely weeks after Governor Abdi Guyo narrowly escaped impeachment. In what some describe as a survival strategy, Guyo signed Executive Order No.1 of 2025, announcing immediate portfolio reassignments.
Three acting CECs were given expanded roles. Notably, Health CECM Lucy Kagwiria now controls a super-ministry encompassing Finance, ICT, Revenue, Special Programmes, and Public Service.
Meanwhile, Agriculture CEC Yusuf Mohammed now oversees the county’s entire infrastructure and lands portfolio, merging critical service areas under one hand.
“This is consolidation of power, not service,” said a former county official who asked not to be named for personal reasons.
While some see efficiency in bundled portfolios, others fear that giving one person too much influence over budgetary and operational functions could undermine transparency.
In Mombasa, Governor Abdulswamad Nassir made his first cabinet changes since taking office in 2022. In Executive Order No 9, popular local actor Kenneth Ambani was dropped as Youth and Sports CEC, replaced by Jonathan Wepukhulu.
Nassir also nominated Ibrahim Khamis to take over the Blue Economy and Agriculture docket. Kibibi Abdalla was reassigned to head Environment and Water, while Deputy Governor Francis Thoya was tasked with overseeing flagship project implementation.
“These changes are in line with our promise to deliver efficient governance,” the governor said.
In Uasin Gishu, Governor Jonathan Bii sent nine top officers on compulsory leave and shuffled several CECMs. Elijah Kosgey moved to Education, Dr Sam Kotut to Agriculture, and Edward Sawe to Lands.
Bii’s administration has come under increasing pressure over unmet development pledges and growing public discontent. His recent moves, including the appointment of Dr Pius Kiplimo as Chief of Staff, are viewed as an attempt to restore public confidence.
Governor Stephen Sang of Nandi announced portfolio reassignments, citing departmental performance reviews. Among the key changes was the reassignment of Hillary Serem from Finance to Lands and Environment, while Alfred Kiprotich Lagat returned to the Finance docket.
While the governor maintains that the reshuffle is about aligning talent with departmental needs, others believe political motivations cannot be ignored.
“Every movement is strategic. Even in reshuffles, there’s always a political agenda,” says political and governance expert, Dr Isaac Gichuki.
While governors brand these reshuffles as steps toward accountability and efficiency, a pattern emerges: reshuffles often favor political allies, recycle previously suspended or perceived underperforming officials, and rarely translate into improved services.
“Reshuffles should not be the endgame. They must be part of a broader framework of accountability—complete with audits, prosecutions, and public engagement,” said David Kwach an analyst and governance expert.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), civil society, and the Controller of Budget have repeatedly flagged weak oversight structures in counties. Yet without political will, says Kioko, reshuffles risk becoming elaborate public relations exercises.
Dr Gichuki says, as Kenya inches closer to the 2027 elections, the politics of reshuffles may intensify.
“Whether these moves will lead to real change or more of the same remains to be seen, but Kenyans, now more informed and vocal, are watching,” Dr Gichuki adds.
