Among the names under consideration is former Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, who may be appointed as the new Interior CS to replace Kithure Kindiki, who was promoted to Deputy President.
Currently, Musalia Mudavadi is the acting internal security minister. Ruto’s move appears to be a strategic attempt to placate the restless Mt Kenya region, particularly the Nyeri community, which has expressed dissatisfaction with the current representation in government.
“The new Cabinet appointees will be named in a few days,” an aide to the President said.
Adding to the momentum, Kikuyu elders gathered in Nyeri on Friday to unanimously endorse Kagwe’s inclusion in Ruto’s government.
They emphasised the necessity of having a Cabinet minister from the region and urged Kagwe to accept the proposed position.
The elders, including prominent figures such as Muthoga Kirethi, Muhika Mutahi and Peter Mundinia, deliberated on the current political landscape and the economic challenges facing the country.
They expressed confidence in Kagwe’s leadership capabilities, stating, “Hon Mutahi Kagwe has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, integrity, and dedication to public service. His experience in government makes him an invaluable asset to Kenya.”
As the announcement looms, the political landscape is abuzz with anticipation regarding the potential impact of these appointments on both the Cabinet and the broader political dynamics within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
President Ruto is under immense pressure, especially in regards to filling the vacant powerful position of Interior Cabinet Secretary.
In what presents the head of state with a tough balancing act, more communities are lining up for consideration.
At the weekend, the political players pestered the President on who could fit Kindiki’s shoes at the crucial docket. Sources point out the imminent changes could affect four CS positions.
A source intimated to the Star that the Gender docket could be filled, and a reshuffle undertaken in Foreign Affairs, Lands, and Interior dockets.
The Maasai community is the latest to knock on the President’s door with the request for a CS slot, fronting current Kajiado Central MP Memusi Kanchory as a perfect pick for the Interior docket.
The leaders told President Ruto on Sunday that past members of the community had proven they could deliver.
“As you will be making the decision on the one slot remaining in your Cabinet, we ask you to consider this community. Our brother Memusi is up to the task,” Kajiado West MP George Sunkuyia told the President.
Ruto had joined worshippers for an interdenominational service in Kimana, Kajiado county. “As Maasai, we have proven to be patriots of this country. Since history, we have performed very well in this Interior docket,” Kajiado East MP Kakuta Maimai said.
Memusi, the preferred pick, weighed in, saying, “This Interior slot we are asking for…I know you are balancing a lot of interests but this community has people who will steer this country well.”
The Maasai leaders joined a growing list of leaders and politicians who have presented their petitions to be considered, directly or through proxies and pressure groups.
Apart from Musalia, and now Memusi, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Health Cabinet Secretary Kagwe has also been mentioned as angling for the top job. Mentions of Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah have also not faded in the corridors of power.
Junet said he was comfortable in his current post of Minority Leader of the National Assembly. He recently dismissed the talk as fake news.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, said to be among the people with the President’s ear, has also been touted as a possible pick.
There are quarters that want the President to consider an individual from his Rift Valley backyard, even if from among the current Cabinet Secretaries from the region. Should he heed to the call, Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen or Davis Chirchir of Transport could swap posts. Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, a Gachagua ally, hinted at this recently, pointing to certain foreign investors having an interest in the pick.
ODM is said to be pushing for any of the dockets that will be affected in the reshuffle once Ruto settles on a choice for Interior CS.
Youthful politician David Osiany is reportedly lobbying to be taken on board, so is ODM national treasurer Timothy Bosire.
It remains unclear when the President will announce the changes but sources point to possibilities before end of the year.
In the tough balancing, according to pundits, President Ruto has to see how to extract political gain from the appointee.
In a classic example of hitting two birds with one stone, watchers say the head of state must get not only a credible manager but also one who is valuable politically.
"The President must have someone aligned to his way of thought and who he fully trusts to give the exact pulse of the nation at any given time,” political analyst Herman Manyora said.
The University of Nairobi don said it should be noted that “The Interior ministry is more important to President Ruto than even that of Treasury.”
Pundits hold that the President needs foot soldiers to counter Gachagua’s influence and cut the latter to size.
Also to be factored is whether the choice would deal with the displeasure that greeted Gachagua’s removal. In a telling move, President Ruto recently appointed New Democrats party leader Thuo Mathenge as chairman of the Kalro board.
The politician, who publicly declared that Gachagua was his rival politically, took over from Peter Weru, an ally of the former DP. The changes, the Star understands, will also heavily be informed by the ongoing political formations and drumbeats of the 2027 general election.
Battle lines are already forming as big names line to challenge President Ruto for the country’s top job.
“The other question we are asking is, is this person politically useful? Can he do the job? And can he or she been seen as someone we are accommodating and hence win us more support?” a government source said.
The guiding principle, the Star has established, is to find a person who would not only deliver the political support but also vividly communicate Kenya Kwanza agenda and progress to the masses.
In what could knock off the lawmakers in the list, the government is said to be not keen on staging an electoral contest, especially in Mt Kenya.
In his farewell speech as Interior CS, Kindiki cited what he termed as significant milestones in the security sector that he wished his successor would carry on. The DP’s tenure was credited with reduced banditry attacks and livestock rustling, modernisation of the police service and salary increase for police officers.
Kindiki also listed operationalisation of the NGOs law, abolishing of vetting process for national ID cards, clearance of backlog of citizenship, permanent residency and work permits, as well as streamlining of passport issuance as some of his achievements.
