Ruto rewards loyalists with plum Cabinet positions
By Winnie OnyandoPresident William Ruto has rewarded politicians who stood by him through thick and thin in the past five years by naming them to Cabinet.
The Head of State had a frosty relationship with his then boss former president Uhuru Kenyatta and those who supported his stance will now enjoy the exclusive perks, allowances and infrastructure that come with serving in Cabinet.
Among those rewarded is Musalia Mudavadi who’s been named Prime Cabinet Secretary, with a brief to among others, assist the president and his deputy in the coordination and supervision of government ministries and state departments.
Mudavadi dumped Azimio coalition’s Raila Odinga to link up with Ruto six months before the election in a move dubbed the ‘political earthquake’. Even though he struggled to deliver votes from his Western Kenya backyard to Ruto’s basket, Mudavadi soon became the face of Ruto’s campaign team, especially in international meets.
Another beneficiary is Aisha Jumwa who unsuccessfully contested the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in the August 2022 polls. Jumwa also left Odinga in favour of Ruto and has been rewarded with the Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action ministry.
Others are Kipchumba Murkomen and Aden Duale whose loyalty to Ruto cost them the majority leader position in the Senate and National Assembly respectively. They have been handed the plum ministries of Roads, Transport, and Defence, respectively.
Also rewarded is Alfred Mutua who is the new Foreign Affairs CS, and Moses Kuria who will manage the Trade docket.
The Cabinet is expected to help Ruto fulfill his pre-election pledges and will replace President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ministers after vetting.
They are expected to serve Kenyans for five years. The president is also expected to name his principal secretaries and Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in due time.