From left: Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Nairobi senatorial candidate Millicent Omanga and digital strategist Dennis Itumbi. PHOTOS | NATION MEDIA GROUP
President William Ruto has mainly rewarded his cronies and election losers with Chief Administrative Secretaries slots.
President Ruto made the appointments on March 16, 2023, subject to parliament vetting.
The appointments are, however, contrary to an earlier pledge by the Head of State to hand opportunities to the common mwananchi.
The nominees include former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, digital strategist Dennis Itumbi, former Nairobi Women Representative candidate Millicent Omanga, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru who unsuccessfully contested for the Senatorial position, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, and former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali among others.
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, who lost to ODM’s Edwin Sifuna in the Nairobi senatorial race, has been nominated CAS for Cooperatives while UDA candidate for Kinangop Parliamentary seat Amos Chege Mugo was handed the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises Development docket.
Wilson Sossion, the former chairman of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) was nominated CAS in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, alongside Rehema Dida Jaldesa.
Kidero who lost to Gladys Wanga in the Homa Bay gubernatorial race, has been nominated CAS in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry alongside former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi Mogaka and former West Pokot Woman Representative Lilian Tomitom.
Kidero has lost his case challenging Wanga’s victory and he is set to appeal at the Supreme court.
On the other hand, Washiali did not vie for any post.
The same trend has also been replicated with the Cabinet Secretary post where the likes of Aisha Jumwa, Moses Kuria were appointed despite losing in the polls.
While holding his campaigns, Ruto’s agenda was to lift the ‘bottom up’ (the commoners) in his government. He made several promises ranging from reducing the cost of life to appointing hustlers in various posts.
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