President Ruto’s headache in filling vacant Interior CS docket

“It’s a delicate balance for the President. Everyone is lobbying either individually or through community and allies. His choice will shock Kenyans,” said a close ally of the President.

National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro, however, said the President is spoilt for choice but insisted the seat is not a preserve of the big communities.

“We have so many qualified Kenyans. It is the discretion of the President to decide who fits the big shoes, but I dare say that he is spoilt for choice owing to the several deserving personalities. His choice of (Prof Kithure) Kindiki for the position earlier and subsequently for Deputy President has proven that the position is not a preserve for bigger communities. At this point in time, in his wisdom, anybody can be that CS, including me, if I had interest. But I am happy where I am now; obviously elective positions are better,” Mr Osoro told the Nation.

Political muscle

President Ruto is reportedly not keen to occasion a by-election, especially in the Mount Kenya region, which could offer a platform for his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, to flex his political muscle. This could influence the decision to drop some of the region’s bigwigs whose names have been floated but hold parliamentary seats.

Appointing National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who was instrumental in the ouster of Mr Gachagua as DP, would be a befitting reward. But insiders privy to the deliberations say a by-election particularly in Kiambu is what stands in his way.

Mr Ichung’wah recently said he is not interested in the ministerial seat.

“I already have a job, and I don’t want people to be confused. I have a job given to me by the people of Kikuyu, and the MPs also gave me another role as their leader in the National Assembly,” said Mr Ichung’wah, who was also touted as a possible replacement for Mr Gachagua, before President Ruto settled on Prof Kindiki.

“You saw how I led the impeachment process in Parliament, and I want to thank all the MPs because they all worked with us. I didn’t do that work to get any position, and I have no interest in a ministerial position,” Mr Ichung’wah said as speculation over him getting a Cabinet role intensified.

But some claim he is still a possible contender.

Some analysts have argued that the powerful post, having been held by a member of the Mt Kenya region, it would only be prudent to keep it there.

Someone from Nyeri?

Mr Kihara Njau argued that Mr Gachagua comes from Nyeri County and having been ousted as DP, it is only fair for the President to reward the county with the Cabinet post.

“Nyeri needs to get Gachagua’s replacement in the senior Interior position. Now that Prof Kindiki has benefited from the DP post, which belonged to Nyeri, for the county to feel rewarded, the Interior ministry docket should come from Nyeri and probably go to former Kieni MP Kanini Kega,” Mr Njau said.

There would have to be a vote in Parliament to replace Mr Kega at the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) if he is tapped, and the slot will go to opposition.

But another source suggested Energy PS Alex Wachira, who comes from Nyeri, was also in contention. The thinking is that to placate Nyeri, the seat should be retained in the county.

"He  is currently in charge of a big docket and he's performing well. He's a very jovial, down to earth fellow. He'll be an asset as the president tries to recapture the mountain," the source said. 

Other sources said another factor that could work against a Mt Kenya candidate is that President Ruto is also keen to avoid dominance of the National Security Council (NSC) by members of the same community.

Article 240 of the Constitution establishes the National Security Council, consisting of the President, DP, CSs in charge Defence, Foreign Affairs and Interior, Attorney-General, Chief of the Defence Forces, Director-General of the National Intelligence Service and the Inspector-General of the National Police Service.

The current members of the council are President Ruto, DP Kindiki, Ms Soipan Tuya, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, AG Dorcas Oduor, Chief of the Defence Forces Charles Kahariri, NIS Director-General Noordin Haji and IG Douglas Kanja.

With already three members of the council hailing from Mt Kenya region, President Ruto is said to be keen to give the slot to a different region.

Northern Kenya options

Then there is talk of giving the post to an individual from Northern Kenya. But, again, multiple sources told the Nation that the President is not keen to have a leader from the region at the helm of the security docket. Already there is Mr Haji as NIS boss and Mr Mohammed Amin as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss.

Some people have been lobbying for the appointment of Environment CS Aden Duale to the Interior docket. Prior to his appointment in his current docket, Mr Duale held the Defence docket now held by Ms Tuya, who hails from the Maa community.

Those pushing for the appointment of Mr Duale believe that he would make a good security chief having served in the Defence ministry and his good relationship with the President.

The name of former Deputy IG Noor Gabow, who was redeployed on July 13 by the President in a major overhaul of the security docket, has also been floated. Mr Gabow is a long-serving DIG having held the position of AP boss for seven years and worked with Prof Kindiki who was his boss at the time.

Those pushing for the appointment of Mr Gabow are relying on his long service in the security docket. He also worked closely with the President especially on the plans to send Kenya police officers to Haiti. He was also the senior police commander deployed to the National Tallying Centre at Bomas during the 2022 General Election.

In considering the western Kenya region, Mr Mudavadi, who is acting in the role, is seen as a possible contender. However, some insiders have argued for Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya given his past role in the provincial administration. He is, however, from an opposition party that is highly critical of President Ruto’s administration, which works against his candidature.

Similarly, talk that Mr Odinga’s ODM party could be considered for the slot has been ruled out.

Powerful position

President Ruto’s allies argue that the powerful position should be retained by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed recently said he is not interested in the Cabinet position after some MPs, including Nyaribari Masaba’s Daniel Manduku, suggested that he was the choice of the party under the broad-based government.

“Whereas an opportunity to serve fellow Kenyans in any capacity is always welcome, I wish to inform the public that I am neither one of the people angling for the job nor has the ODM party shown any interest in seeking to have another party expert join the government in that capacity,” Mr Mohamed said last month.

There is also talk of two senior security officials from Elgeyo-Marakwet County making the cut, one retired and the other still in active duty.

Former IG Joseph Boinnet, who hails from the county and currently a deputy advisor to the President on national security, has been tipped for the post. Those pushing for Mr Boinnet’s appointment believe that he would make a good Interior CS considering his background in the security sector.

Mr Boinnet was appointed IG and served under President Uhuru Kenyatta between 2015 and 2019.

Prior to this appointment to the advisor position, Mr Boinnet contested for the Elgeyo-Marakwet governor seat in the 2022 August polls but lost.

Some say his experience and his close connections to the President gives him a competitive advantage during the selection process. However, this option is also facing challenges with concerns that Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen is from the same county.

Read:  Mt Kenya leaders wait in the wings after ex-DP Gachagua’s fall

Although President Ruto’s inaugural Cabinet had CSs Njuguna Ndung’u and Alice Wahome from Murang’a County, the President’s confidants argue that the same happening in his backyard would cause jitters.

Then there is further talk that the President could be considering picking an individual from his home county of Uasin Gishu, even if it occasions a by-election.

Another group of individuals close to President Ruto is also pushing for the elevation of Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to lead the Interior docket.

Those backing Dr Omollo believe that having served as a PS in the same ministry makes him a good candidate to take over the mantle. They also believe that his appointment would come with the political reward to propel President Ruto in his new-found political base of Nyanza.