Eugene Wamalwa’s nomination to the Cabinet has been on cards for some time and on Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta finally made the much anticipated announcement, ending a two-year anxiety.
In fact, a fortnight earlier, the former Justice and Constitutional Affair confided to The Standard On Saturday, that he was aware “they are even working out something for me”.
Beyond being a personal reward to a close political ally, the nomination of Mr Wamalwa as Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary is also a major statement of political intent by President Kenyatta.
And Wamalwa himself is alive to this fact. Reached for comment, the New Ford-Kenya party leader told The Standard On Sunday that having entered into a post-election pact with Jubilee Coalition, it is expected of him and the President to read from the same political script.
“My nomination, and hopefully eventual appointment to the Cabinet, disabuses the notion that the President has excluded our people (Luhya) from his Government,” said Wamalwa.
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The former Saboti MP’s nomination came alongside that of Gordon Kihalangwa, also from the Luhya community, as Interior Principal Secretary. In what is clearly a charm offensive directed at the Luhya community, Uhuru has lately singled out leaders from the region for government jobs.
Prior to the latest development, other leaders from western Kenya including former Speaker Kenneth Marende and former Cabinet ministers, Noah Wekesa and Chris Okemo were given parastatal jobs.
Extradition proceedings
However, the latter declined to take up the job offer citing an ongoing legal case against him. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) wrote to the suspended Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei opposing Okemo’s appointment on integrity grounds.
“This is in view of the integrity concerns raised regarding the said individual, which cannot be overlooked. The Commission further notes that there is a pending extradition proceedings in court where the government of the United Kingdom (UK) is seeking the extradition of the said person based on corruption allegations,” said a statement from the commission.
“Whereas the Commission recognises the right of innocence, however, this appointment negates the requirements of the Executive Order No 6 of March, 2015 on Ethics and Integrity in the Public Service, the Code of Governance for State Corporation and all the efforts in place in the fight against corruption and unethical practices,” EACC added.
Curiously, the latest one to Wamalwa has been carved out from the docket of Judy Wakhungu, also from Western Kenya. She assumed office as Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Natural Resources, Water and Irrigation on May 15, 2013 and now she has surrendered the Water and Irrigation functions to “her brother”, Wamalwa.
On the surface, it seems, this particular ministry was a preserve of the Luhya and Wamalwa could therefore only “eat” from the same plate as Prof Wakhungu. Both Wamalwa and Wakhungu are from the largest Luhya sub-tribe of Bukusu.
Some, including Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, read mischief in the President’s move. Dr Khalwale, for instance, criticised the President for nominating Wamalwa to a makeshift ministry.
Claiming President Kenyatta had employed Wamalwa “kama karani” (as a clerk), the vocal senator said the President is only playing politics with the jobs.
Separately, the timing of the changes could not have been more perfect. Sample this, the President shoves Wamalwa into the picture when the rising star of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Ababu Namwamba is momentarily dimming. This is after he was kicked out as Chairman of the influential Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Similarly, the nomination of Wamalwa comes in the wake of a fresh move by the Supreme Court to initiate a process to punish Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula for an electoral offence.
On the same day Wamalwa was nominated, the Registrar of the Supreme Court formally served the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Senate Speaker and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission with a report of the commission of the election offence of bribery.
The political landscape could change totally in the region if Wetang’ula is confirmed guilty.
While Wamalwa’s nomination has generated some excitement in the region, to others the move makes little difference. The New Ford-Kenya leader is not a particular big political catch for Uhuru, considering he has always been regarded as a Jubilee ally.
Besides Wamalwa and Wetang’ula, United Democratic Forum (UDF) leader Musalia Mudavadi enjoys considerable support from the region. But it is ODM leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who swept the boards in the last General Election.
Looking forward, it makes sense why Western Kenya is emerging as the most sought after political bride. Deputy President William Ruto has similarly been making separate inroads in the region.
Away from politics, the President has also seized the opportunity to make crucial changes in the security sector that has been the biggest headache of his two-year administration. With the elevation of Gen Kihalangwa as Interior PS, the top leadership of the Interior docket is now solely in the hands of retired army men. Joseph Nkaiserry, also a retired army general, is the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
“After an apparent faulty start, the President now feels the security docket needs to be placed in safe hands of men with military experience,” said Col Benjamin Muema.
As a Lieutenant, Muema taught and guided the chief of Defence Forces designate Samson Mwathethe and Gen Kihalangwa in 1978 at the Armed Forces Training College in Lanet, Nakuru. Judging from his experience, Muema is convinced the two are capable of ably handling their dockets.
Separately, political pundits opine that the President has always looked for an opportunity to offload some of the high-profile staff he inherited from his predecessor, Mwai Kibaki.
Viewed from this perspective, Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia is part of the Kibaki baggage that is part of collateral damage of the Uhuru purge. Coming at a time when he has featured in EACC’s so called “list of shame”, the timing of Kimema’s offload is perfect.
Equally perfect is the general timing of the changes. They have come at a time when the Kenyatta Administration was getting the flak over insecurity and now the reshuffle will momentarily deflect attention from the Garissa attacks.
