Insider Reveals Likely Lineup of Ruto’s New Cabinet
President William Ruto is poised to unveil a reconstituted National Executive following his dramatic dismissal of the entire Cabinet on June 11.
This move, part of his pledge to streamline governance, comes with the significant inclusion of the opposition, indicating a shift towards a more unified government.
State House insiders have disclosed that the Raila Odinga-led Azimio La Umoja faction will gain notable representation in the new Cabinet.
Despite retaining the number of Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) at 22, Azimio is set to receive seven slots, with four being highly contested within the ODM party. “Lobbying has started for the new CSs. Raila has been given four slots, he’s fronting former governors Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, and little known Kevin Aruasa,” an insider revealed to TUKO.co.ke.
The allocation of these slots has caused internal strife within the opposition. ODM’s dominance in securing the four positions has led to discontent among other member parties, which are now re-evaluating their strategies and stance on engaging with the government.
Additionally, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who retained his position during the Cabinet purge, has been allocated two slots.
Mudavadi faces a challenging decision with three strong contenders for the posts: his confidante and former ANC secretary general Simon Gikuru, Vihiga businessman Alex Kidake, and politician Adagala.
The insider also hinted at the possible return of Aden Duale and Mithika Linturi, who previously held the Defence and Agriculture portfolios, respectively.
The remaining slots will be divided between President Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, with particular attention to Gachagua’s regional influence. Allies of the deputy president have been vocal, demanding no less than eight Cabinet slots for Mt Kenya natives.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga remains focused on his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, a role that could elevate his international stature.
President Ruto has been explicit about his vision for the new Cabinet. He aims to assemble a team characterized by competence and national unity.
This broader executive is expected to embody the diversity and inclusiveness of Kenyan society. His deputy has emphasized the importance of selecting nominees based on merit, warning against appointing individuals with a history of arrogance and inefficiency.
The president attributed the previous Cabinet’s dismissal to public dissatisfaction with their performance, leading to the decision to gazette their removal and appoint Mudavadi as the acting Cabinet secretary in all ministries.
This overhaul follows a period of youth-led unrest demanding significant governance changes.
As the nation waits for the official announcement, the new Cabinet is anticipated to reflect a balance of political alliances and regional representation, setting the stage for a potentially more cohesive and effective administration.
Insider Reveals Likely Lineup of Ruto’s New Cabinet
