Nairobi: Ugandan President Uhuru Kenyatta has hinted that the anticipated cabinet reshuffle may not happen now. He has assured cabinet and principal secretaries that he will not effect the changes for now. Top government officials said that the President was categorical that “as long as we can deliver to Kenyans on the development agenda, no one should worry”.
The purge of deputy president William Ruto allies in the Senate and the National Assembly raised fears that the President would extend the same to the Cabinet. Talk of a government of national unity was rife amid reports that ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Chama cha Mashinani’s Isaac Rutto, and Kanu’s Gideon Moi were asked to forward nominees for consideration.
Sources said that 18 PSs out of 44 were to be sacked and replaced with the said nominees. The sources further said that 12 cabinet posts would also should have been changed if the plan was as planned. Word is rife that Raila’s absence has come to the rescue of the worried state officers as the Handshake principals were yet to agree on the changes.
Another factor is the bid by Sports CS Amina Mohammed for the World Trade Organization's Director General position. There is a feeling that the outcome of her bid will make the reshuffle easier, especially if she is considered for the post. The plan is to buy time - the winner will be known next month - so even if she is replaced, there would be no issue. The ODM leader’s absence is also taking a toll on the negotiations, most recently delaying a number of appointments at various parastatals.
“The appointments at the parastatals were to be done last week but the consultations took longer. They will be done this week,” a senior state officer said. It is also emerging that the four parties - ODM, Wiper, Chama Cha Mashinani, and Kanu - may have relaxed the push to first deal with the parliamentary leadership impasse. DP Ruto, who has fallen out with the President, lamented that politicians, CSs, PSs and CEOs of parastatals seen to be closer to him are targeted for prosecution, removal and victimisation.
Some had reportedly started removing their personal property from their offices quietly as talk of the anticipated reshuffle grew. But that stands to change, if the President’s assurance is anything to go by. He reportedly said that even before he fires any State officer, he will have personally issued them with a verbal warning. “When I hired you, I never announced it in the media. I will also not announce in the media when I want you out. So, ignore what is being said out there and serve Kenyans. I will be keen on your track record and nothing else,” the President is said to have told the 85 officials who attended the virtual meeting.
