Proposed Ministers and Attorney General to face National Assembly vetting committees before appointment as Kenyans question President’s commitment to reform
By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL REPORTER
President William Ruto Friday named half of his “reconstituted” Cabinet, returning six fired ministers to switched or same portfolio and raising questions of whether he was serious about delivering at all. As he named his half Cabinet, there were questions over what had happened to the expected members of a GNU from the opposition Azimio coalition.
Embedded sources told THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL that the Azimio names were missing as some demands that Raila had made on the President had not been met. At the same time, some senior Azimio members like Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Jeremiah Kioni and Martha Karua had refused to join the proposed GNU. There was also the issue of Kenya Kwanza and Ruto getting involved in the affairs of Jubilee party, a member of the Azimio coalition.
In the changes, former NA Speaker Justin Muturi’s sacking was confirmed as was that of flamboyant and opulent Kipchumba Murkomen. Their places were taken by Rebecca Miano and Ruto’s old friend and ally Davis Chirchir respectively. Miano was heading the trade ministry while Chichr was heading energy before the dissolution
Those named to the half Cabinet to await vetting by the National Assembly were:
1. Interior- Kithure Kindiki
2. Health – Dr Deborah Baraza
3. Lands- Alice Wahome
4. Education – Julius Ogamba
5. Defense – Aden Duale
6. Livestock – Andrew Muhia Karanja
7. Environment – Soipan Tuya
8. Water – Eric Muga
9. Roads and transport – Davis Chirchir
10. ICT – Dr Magaret Ndung’u
11. AG – Rebecca Miano