William Ruto and Ali Muktaron a campaign trail. July 7, 2022. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Former Wajir governor is among those shortlisted for Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) position.

Ahmed Ali Muktar was governor for about a year after Mohamud Ali was impeached. He then vied for a seat on President William Ruto's UDA party but lost.

The 40-year-old with a master's degree in policy and public administration has been President Ruto's ally since 2013 when he vied for Wajir South parliamentary seat on URP.

National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui have called on President Ruto to give young people the CAS position.

Osoro said it was unfortunate to see former governors lining up for the CAS positions. "It should be an opportunity to nurture young people and prepare them for future leadership. It should also be an opportunity to balance government as long as the two-thirds gender balance is concerned," said Osoro.

He said more young people who have served in the public sector should be given the positions.

Mbui noted that it was important to nurture younger people who have never served in public service by giving them CAS positions.

"We are a country that needs to plan its future and not keep going back because a lot of these names of people that keep applying for these positions have already held very senior positions," he said.