President William Ruto’s list of 22 nominees to the Cabinet has attracted divided opinion on whether he has lived up to his promise of forming an inclusive government.
During campaigns, Ruto promised that appointments to the Cabinet, Principal Secretaries, parastatal chiefs and heads of other key government institutions would reflect the true face of Kenya.
Ruto is faced with the headache of striking a balance between rewarding communities that voted for him and accommodating regions that supported his rival without breaking a constitutional tenet.
While the President has only named Cabinet nominees and said more appointments will follow in due course, several leaders have are already divided on the appointments so far.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o, a confidant of Raila Odinga, has said Ruto’s nominees saying it does not reflect regional and ethnic balance.
“Having seen appointments to the Cabinet on Tuesday, equity and regional balance, two components of national unity are prominent by their absence,” Nyong'o said in a statement.
Raila’s Luo Nyanza region got only one slot, Eliud Owalo, who was nominated CS for Communication Information and Digital Economy.
Mt Kenya region was the biggest winner as it got seven Cabinet positions out of 22.
The region also got two positions out of the four Cabinet-level portfolios announced by the President.
Ruto’s Rift Valley backyard got five slots while Western received three slots, that of Prime Cabinet Secretary included.
Coast region got two slots, Eastern two, North Eastern one and Kisii Nyanza one.
Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda said opposition leaders will hold the Kenya Kwanza government accountable for the promises made to Kenyans.
She said women were promised a lot of things which she will fight to ensure are fulfilled.
“Kenya Kwanza promised gender balance in the Cabinet. The President has gone round the issue to cover it up with the Cabinet-level portfolio appointments,” she said.
Of the 22 Cabinet slots, women got seven seats, four short of the 11 that the President had promised.
However, women took three of the four Cabinet-level portfolios.
Political commentator Fred Sasia however said a close look at the Cabinet nominees shows regional balance.
“He ensured that almost all the regions in the country are represented, though not in equal numbers, it mirrors the face of the country. However, on the ethnic front, the Cabinet looks short,” Sasia said.
He nonetheless said it is practically impossible to have all the ethnic representation in the Cabinet.
“However, it's an expectation that we could have the minority ethnic groups given a chance, but this wasn't the case,” he added.
Sasia said the dynamics of Kenyan politics demand that those who supported you most get the biggest share.
“This is contrary to our very spirit of considering the minority groups on the decision-making table. People with disabilities and the youth deserves ministerial positions, this will ensure when the national cake is being cut, a deserving piece goes their way,” he said.
Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap termed the Cabinet list as “strategic”.
He said the President made a deliberate effort to blend politicians and professionals.
“He has rewarded loyalty and included those who have institutional memory. Those who served in the last Cabinet. He has also named very highly qualified professionals,” he said.
On gender, Makilap said the President made an effort to achieve the 50-50 promise.
“The advisors will holding seats with Cabinet portfolios,” he said.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, an ally of Raila, criticised Ruto’s Cabinet line-up.
“What happened to ethnic and regional balance also known as the face of Kenya,” the legislator posed.
UDA chairman Johnson Muthama opined that Ruto’s Cabinet nominees reflected the face of Kenya.
“I congratulate the President for giving Kenya a balanced and competent cabinet. We are confident that these ladies and gentlemen will deliver on our manifesto to the people of Kenya,” he said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris