President Kenyatta chairs a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, last year.
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Uhuru’s big dilemma as half of Cabinet joins politics
President Kenyatta could be forced to reorganise his administration should half of his cabinet, who are intending to contest elective seats, resign in February.
With the General Election due in August, the President may either make new appointments or opt to have the remaining Cabinet Secretaries act in the vacant dockets as well.
This is the first time CSs are facing the prospect of departure with an outgoing Head of State, since, in 2017, President Kenyatta was seeking re-election. He re-appointed some for the second term and named as ambassadors those he left out of the Cabinet.
Information and Communication Technology CS Joe Mucheru captured the dilemma facing his colleagues, explaining he will go back to private business when President Kenyatta retires. He does not plan to vie for any seat, but would welcome another government appointment.
“I’ll go back to business where I came from,” said the former Google executive, who was appointed to the Cabinet in 2015 after President Kenyatta sacked five CSs suspended on graft claims.
But Mr Mucheru, who is among CSs who have openly backed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, added: “If the incoming President says I did a good job and wants me back, I will heed to the call.”
Political seats
While his colleagues were not forthright about vying for elective seats, they did not rule out the possibility outright.
The CSs who have either been touted for political seats or aligned themselves to the emerging political formations include Dr Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Mr John Munyes (Petroleum), Ms Sicily Kariuki (Water), Mr Peter Munya (Agriculture), Mr Eugene Wamalwa (Defence), Mr Ukur Yatani (Treasury), Mr Simon Chelugui (Labour), Mr Charles Keter (Energy), Mr Mutahi Kagwe (Health), Mr James Macharia (Transport), Mr Keriako Tobiko (Environment), Mr Najib Balala (Tourism) and Mr Raphael Tuju, who sits in the Cabinet by virtue of his post as the ruling Jubilee Party Secretary-General.
Last Friday, at least eight CSs attended the ODM leader’s Azimio la Umoja Movement national convention at Kasarani stadium, where he also declared his presidential candidature. They included Mr Munya, Mr Yatani, Mr Mucheru, Mr Tobiko, Mr Wamalwa, Mr Munyes, Ms Kariuki and Mr Tuju.
Before the Kasarani event, Mr Munya had read resolutions of the Mt Kenya Foundation, which endorsed Mr Odinga for the top seat at a forum attended by Mr Mucheru, Ms Kariuki and Prof Margaret Kobia (Public Service).
Today, a party associated with Mr Wamalwa, Democratic Action Party - Kenya, will be launched at the Bomas of Kenya, where it will also hold its first National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Mr Wamalwa joins Cabinet colleagues linked to new parties, including Dr Matiang’i and Mr Yatani, who are associated with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Upya Movement, respectively.
It’s expected that the parties, alongside Jubilee and ODM, will be among outfits affiliated to the coalition that President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga are forging. Mr Odinga is expected to contest the presidency on the coalition.
When contacted, Mr Yatani, a former Marsabit Governor, who is linked to the same position in next year’s election, responded: “Only time will tell.”
Ms Kariuki, who has been doing a lot of ground work in Nyandarua County, is reportedly seeking to oust Governor Francis Kimemia. She neither confirmed nor denied this, only telling the Nation that she was yet to make a final decision on the matter.
Mr Tobiko was non-committal on the position he is eyeing, only stating that he has what it takes to be a President or Deputy President.
Mr Macharia, who is reportedly eyeing the Murang’a governor’s seat, said it’s premature to make such an announcement.
Mr Kagwe, said to be keen on the Nyeri governor’s seat, declined to comment on his political plans.
Political plans
Mr Tuju also clarified he was not keen on going for the Siaya governor or Rarieda parliamentary seat, which he held between 2002 and 2007.
Mr Chelugui, who is reportedly eyeing the Baringo governor’s seat, a position he unsuccessfully vied for in 2017, declined to comment. Mr Keter, who is linked to the Kericho governor’s contest, protested at repeated queries by Nation on his political plans.
Mr Balala also did not respond to queries by the Nation on his political plans.
A notice issued by Democratic Action Party - Kenya Acting Secretary-General Bernard Masanja said the agenda for today’s meeting includes ratification of the party’s constitution and amendments, consideration and adoption of National Executive Council (NEC) and National Governing Council (NGC) resolutions and election and confirmation of national officials.
Although Mr Wamalwa did not confirm or deny association with the new party when contacted by the Nation, a close aide, Mr Kizito Temba, said the CS will today host Mr Odinga as the chief guest.
“There is no cause for alarm for the CS to be associated with this party because the Leadership and Integrity Act exempts CSs from the requirement by State officers to uphold political neutrality,” Mr Kizito explained.
“There’s a reason why Parliament, in its wisdom, exempted CSs from the requirement of political neutrality. As a CS, I’m the President’s appointee, who discharges his agenda, and [implements] his manifesto, and that of the ruling party. So between policy and politics, there’s a thin line,” Mr Wamalwa said.
It’s a position that is also held by Mr Munya :“We will not accept any intimidation from anyone. We have the right to participate in politics and give political direction like anybody else.”
Deputy President William Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has often protested the CSs dabbling in politics.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna said there’s no law that prohibits a CS from giving political direction.
