Marsabit residents have expressed disappointment with the list of Cabinet nominees after President William Ruto failed to pick a minister from the region.
Hassan Wario, who is from Marsabit, was named in President Uhuru Kenyatta's Cabinet in 2013.
The county was also rewarded with a ministerial job when Ukur Yatani was picked to join Cabinet in 2018 as Uhuru put up his team for the second and final term.
Residents were expecting Ruto to continue the trend. They now want the President to review his nominees and include the region.
Led by human rights activist Nuno Dida, they said it was unfair for Ruto to leave Marsabit leaders out of Cabinet, especially those who stood with him during the campaign.
They vouched for Saku MP Dido Ali Raso and ANC gubernatorial race loser Sunya Orre who they said played key roles in campaigning for Ruto's Kenya Kwanza team.
"We were surprised that Raso missed out on the list of Cabinet nominees yet he was our hope for this county. How can Marsabit county miss even a single slot?" Nuno said.
They also faulted the President for failing to honour his promise to give 50 per cent of the Cabinet slots to women.
They asked Ruto to consider them when he would be nominating individuals for other slots.
During campaigns, Marsabit leaders, led by Raso, urged voters in the vast county to back the then UDA presidential candidate for the top seat, arguing that the county would benefit from his administration.
According to a resident, Diid Wako, most of the individuals proposed have a questionable and integrity issues, urging members of Parliament to thoroughly check the nominees, saying it is must for them to fulfil the requirements of chapter six of the constitution.
"I urged members of Parliament who were entrusted with the responsibility to vet the nominees and not to be swayed by political affiliation," he said.
Wako said, while it is okay for the head of state to reward the people who stood with him,it is also important for the same individual to have leadership capabilities that would help him deliver on his promises.
Another resident, Juma Soka, said the President did not consider regional balance, despite having all the powers to nominate whoever he wishes.
"The President has the power to appoint anyone to his Cabinet, but regional balance needs to be considered," he said.
Soka said Marsabit county, since the era of President Moi, has had a slot in the Cabinet, and it is the first time it has been left out, including Isiolo county.
He said the President should remember the massive support he got from the two counties, adding that the Marsabit people are tired of being marginalised even on matters of leadership.
Soka urged Isiolo and Marsabit leaders to unite and have their own party in future so that they can negotiate with any presidential candidate.
(edited by Amol Awuor)