Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary nominee Eugene Wamalwa grateful, as many react to appointment

Kenya: Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary nominee Eugene Wamalwa has expressed willingness to “slow down on politics” and dedicate his efforts in service delivery if his appointment is confirmed.

In an interview with The Standard On Sunday, the New Ford Kenya party leader promised to “hit the ground running.” “As a lawyer, I understand and appreciate the constitutional dictates. If confirmed in my new position, I will concentrate on serving Kenyans and play politics later,” he said, adding: “My primary task will be to make water available for all.”

While thanking the President and his deputy William Ruto for having faith in him, Wamalwa criticised other Western region leaders for exhibiting negative energy. “This whole talk about me being assigned a junior ministry is hogwash. There is a lot of excitement on the ground already,” he said.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale earlier dismissed Wamalwa’s nomination as a ploy by the President to woo residents of Western Kenya “through small jobs handed to friendly individuals.”

Khalwale accused the President of dishing out “small jobs” to local politicians with a view of wooing them to the Jubilee coalition. Describing the Water and Irrigation docket as “kazi ya karani (clerical job)”, Khalwale said Wamalwa’s job will not benefit locals.

Right from the 2013 pre-election period, President Kenyatta made efforts to get a foothold in Western Kenya region, home to the populous Luhya community, who are only second to Kikuyu community.

Then he used Wamalwa, who he had propped up as a possible presidential running mate, to reach out to the Luhya. Even though Kenyatta eventually settled on William Ruto as a running mate, he never really parted ways with Wamalwa politically. Over the last two years, the former Saboti MP has remained close to State House, attending high-level State functions including accompanying the President on official visit to New York and Washington in August and October last year.

Amani Coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi termed Wamalwa’s nomination to the Cabinet as the first serious high level appointment to government of a Western Kenya resident Jubilee has made since it came into office. “This kind of approach is what I and indeed CORD have been advocating for. It is hypocrisy for elements in CORD or anyone to disparage. Instead, we must ask the President not to relax in the old habits of exclusion that have been the hallmark of his administration,” he said.

Others, however, have congratulated the former Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister and asked him to take up the job, saying, “Hata mkia wa ng’ombe una nyama (even the tail of a cow has beef)”

Benjamin Muema, the secretary general of Wamalwa’s New Ford-Kenya party, said the new Cabinet Secretary will make useful contribution to the government.

“He is a brilliant man and will bring balance, stability and eloquence into government. He will aptly execute the government’s agenda and policies,” Muema said of his party boss.