Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot addresses the media at the party’s headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi on February 17, 2020. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL
Ekuru Aokot, a renowned lawyer and politician, has questioned President William Ruto’s appointments to state offices.
Via a rant on his Twitter page, Aukot argued President Ruto’s appointments are against his pre-election pledge of forming an all-inclusive government that was corruption free.
He said: “A closer look at the appointments by President William Ruto to state offices is clearly manifesting into a disaster. They have no Mama Mboga or Bodaboda as promised to the hustlers, no bottom-up. The promise of reduction of food prices, fuel, etc, is now a lie.”
However, Aaron Cheruiyot, Senate’s Majority leader and a close ally of President Ruto rubbished Aukot’s claims terming them a lazy argument.
“A very tired and lazy argument. Get a new joke,” Cheruiyot responded.
Ruto has largely rewarded his loyal footsoldiers and election losers in his appointments to the Cabinet, Principal Secretaries, and state departments since assuming office in September 2022.
Some of those appointed to Cabinet include Aisha Jumwa, Alfred Mutua, Amason Kingi, Musalia Mudavadi, Ababu Namwamba, Alice Wahome and Moses Kuria, all of whom played a vital role in the Head of State’s election.
The Head of State is soon expected to name Chief Administrative Secretaries.
During his campaigns, Ruto promised the low-end citizens, whom he referred to as hustlers, would form a majority of his government.
He also promised to lower the cost of living after assuming office, a promise that has not yet materialized.
Aukot contested for the presidency in the 2017 polls and finished fifth out of eight candidates with 27,400 votes. President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared winner.
Aukot also expressed interest in contesting in 2022 but was barred in the 2022 polls after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati ruled he had failed to meet the requisite requirements.
He also unsuccessfully attempted to block the Azimio leader Raila Odinga from contesting for the presidency on the grounds that he is a public servant.
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