There is increasing lobbying in Kenya Kwnza for Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary amid an impending reorganization of government.
President William Ruto is walking a tightrope as he ponders his pick for the next Interior CS with regional and political balance topping his list of considerations.
The powerful and influential position was under Kithure Kindiki who was last week sworn in as Deputy President following the impeachment of his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua.
President Ruto designated Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi as acting Interior CS until a substantive office holder is picked.
The interior docket is the fourth most powerful executive docket after the president, DP and Prime CS given that it controls the country's security apparatus including the national administration.
There are reports that Kenya Kwanza heavyweights are engaged in behind-the-scenes lobbying for the influential docket ahead of the anticipated cabinet reshuffle.
Analysts say President Ruto must weigh numerous factors when picking the Interior CS including ensuring regional balance while maintaining the delicate power balance in government.
Political analyst Alexander Nyamboga told the Star that President Ruto is faced with a couple of tough choices while picking the next Interior CS as his allies jostle for the position.
"The position is about absolute and undisputed loyalty to the president. While political considerations may be put in mind, the superior overriding factor is loyalty,'' said Nyamboga.
The holder of the office has unfettered access to the President round the clock and sits in the powerful National Security Council which superintends over the country's security matters.
Insiders say the president is not under pressure to pick the next Interior CS from a certain region and that he is open to considering Kenyans from various parts of the country.
Kindiki hails from Mount Kenya region and following his elevation to the DP position, some politicians from Central Kenya are said to be lobbying for the position.
Those from Nyeri, where Gachagua hails from, want one of their own appointed to the position of Interior CS following the ouster of the former DP.
Names of National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, and former Kieni MP Kanini Kega are some of the big names being mentioned as being under consideration.
Ichung'wah played a major role in Gachagua's ouster but has previously said his push to kick out the former DP was not motivated by any ambition for a CS post.
"I already have a job and I do not want people to be confused. I have a job given to me by the people of Kikuyu and the MPs also gave me another role as their leader in the National Assembly,'' Ichung'wah said recently.
The Kikuyu MP was seen by many as Gachagua's replacement before Ruto settled on Kindiki as the country's second in command.
"You saw how I led the impeachment process in Parliament, and I want to thank all the MPs because they all worked with us. I didn't do all that because I wanted any position, and I have no interest in any ministerial position,'' he said.
While a section of MPs want Ichung'wah given the position, they fear that this would occasion a byelection in Kikuyu that would offer Gachagua a platform to flex muscles against Ruto.
It is said that President Ruto is not keen to go for any by-election in Mt Kenya and would snub the region's bigwigs in elective positions and who are eyeing the position.
A section of leaders are pushing for Environment CS Aden Duale to take over the interior docket because of his loyalty to the president.
The former Garissa Town MP is considered a high-ranking figure in Kenya Kwanza with the ear of the present round the clock.
He served as Defence CS before he was moved to the Environment docket following President Ruto's dissolution of Cabinet.
Traditionally, Presidents have picked the most trusted loyalists for the poison of Interior CS.
There are reports that some politicians are pushing for a former police chief including former Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow, ex-IG Joseph Boinnet and Trans Nzoia Governor Goerge Natembeya.
Boinnet, who hails from Elgeyo Marakwet where he ran for governor in 2022 but lost, is President Ruto's deputy national security advisor.
National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro said the president's choices are not limited.
"We have so many qualified Kenyans. It is the discretion of the president to decide who fits the big shoes, but I dare say he is spoilt for choice owing to the several deserving personalities,'' he said.
