Soon after President William Ruto swore in his new Cabinet, one of them shared a video clip of him riding in his SUV displaying his new symbol of power—the Kenyan ministerial flag mounted on his gas guzzler. That alone tells you everything you need to know why being appointed to the cabinet is not really about service for the people but a rite of passage for a well-connected few.
The TikTok generation, enamoured by the video clip, may not realise that at Independence, the cabinet of ministers was a league of dedicated men of substance. Their modesty and focus on service, rather than outward displays of wealth or power, set them apart. This is a stark contrast to the current trend, where appointment to the Cabinet seems to be more about personal gain than public service.
It's crucial to understand that the early ministers were not devoid of power or ignorant of how to wield it. They were skilled at using their influence, especially those close to Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. However, their approach was strategic, in stark contrast to the misuse of power that would later become a hallmark of subsequent cabinets.
While the first cabinet was not without its flaws, notably its lack of regional and gender balance (being predominantly Gema and male), it functioned effectively in driving the desired changes in governance and development for a newly independent Kenya. That it was mostly Gema and not including women was not seen as fatalistic.
Paradoxically, as adjustments were made later to have a more regionally inclusive cabinet, we also saw a dilution of the quality of the men appointed to the cabinet with a corresponding rise in corruption not just within the cabinet but throughout the government.
So much so that by the time we revamped the constitution in 2010, the drafters made sure to include Chapter Six as a measure against the exponentially growing incompetence and corruption in government.
There has not been a bigger joke in the country in terms of governance and accountability than Chapter Six. This section of the constitution, which was meant to provide a mechanism to ensure that state officers were men and women of integrity, has instead become nothing but a paper tiger.
Consequentially, we have had individuals serving in government as cabinet secretaries when they should, in fact, be serving time in prison.
If Chapter Six has not been ignored or circumvented to have individuals of at least questionable morality serving, other provisions of the constitution related to academic qualifications for state officers have also become equally useless as many find means and ways to easily skirt the academic requirements, complete with fake academic credentials.
When President Ruto announced his first cabinet, a well-known blogger posted the academic and military credentials of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The list was long; very long and impressive. She then posted, in contrast, our now former Cabinet Secretary for Defence. The contrast couldn’t be more comical and sad at the same time
While appointment to the cabinet at Independence was meritorious even as it was weighted heavily along tribal lines, subsequent appointments have been less about merit and more about political paybacks and, of course, the never-ending tribal consideration.
When Ruto was forced by Gen Z to dismiss his entire cabinet, there was high expectation that he would appoint a new cabinet that not only reflected the face of Kenya but one in which each individual was well matched with their portfolios in terms of qualifications and experience.
Was that accomplished? A good case can be made for at least several appointments; however, matching qualifications and portfolios is not the case. The negotiated appointment of allies of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will cast Ruto in a different light in Nyanza but it also has the potential to reignite passions in other areas who may see that as an existential threat.
This means that, yes, Ruto has properly responded to Gen Z's demands and all that came with the efforts, but his response is only partially effective. What we need is a comprehensive solution to the country's problems.
That can only be accomplished by a referendum.