Baringo Senator Gideon Moi’s political rival Labour cabinet secretary Simon Chelugui’s days are numbered in Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration. It is said Gideon is pushing for Chelugui’s firing from the cabinet. He is a close ally of the embattled deputy president William Ruto and was trounced by Gideon in the senatorial elections during the last general elections. But state operatives, are, however, divided as to who between former Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Kiprono Kittony and former cabinet minister Isaac Ruto, will succeed Chelugui during the much-awaited mini reshuffle.
Lands Cabinet secretary Farida Karoney is also on line of those to be sacked as her fate is sealed while Foreign Affairs chief administrative secretary Ababu Namwamba is a victim of circumstances, and he is expected to hand over to his political rival, former cabinet secretary Paul Otuoma. Ababu’s loyalty to Ruto has cost him his position as he recently hosted the deputy president in Budalangi where he had been MP, following flash floods in the area, forgetting he was stopped by Devolution Cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa who does not see eye-to-eye with the Tanga Tanga brigade leader.
Former chief-of-defense forces Samson Mwathethe is warming up to take a ministerial post with Uhuru’s kitchen cabinet having been forced to go back to the drawing board ahead of the reshuffle. Despite his retirement age, Mwathethe is still energetic enough to serve the country for the next five years. Beatrice Gambo, a board member of Coast Development Authority, is warming up to take one of the slots after the fallout between the president and his deputy led to the expulsion of nominated senators.
Others in the rebel camp are Falhada Iman, Naomi Waqo, Victor Prengei and Mary Yiane among others. Gambo had worked tirelessly during the campaigns to ensure Uhuru Kenyatta was re-elected during the last general elections. She was instrumental to JP Mombasa gubernatorial loser Suleiman Shahbal who is now close to Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho. Before jumping ship to the ruling party, she had worked in Raila’s office in charge of gender.