Cabinet reshuffle unlikely to inspire much confidence

Turbulent changes do not affect reality on a deeper level other than cement the status quo. In other words the more things change the more they remain the same. This famous epigram by Jean-Baptiste Alphonse, a 17th century French critic, journalist and novelist, was reaffirmed by the recent Cabinet tinkering by President Uhuru and his Deputy.

It was reported in the press as Cabinet ‘changes’ when what was being avoided was making any change. “Ngilu was replaced with Mailu, Waiguru with Kiunjuri, Chirchir with Keter, Kambi with Kazungu, Kamau with Macharia, and Koskei with Bett.

The rationale of the Jubilee mandarins was not to deliver a better Cabinet, but first and foremost pay homage to the demons of tribal bigotry. It is obvious that if you happen to come from a community that does not form a large voting bloc, then your chances of serving as a Cabinet Secretary are drastically diminished. Not in this government.

While the President said time had come to give impetus to the administration, the only impetus that has been given is to political exclusion. It is also equally obvious that the pledge by Jubilee to have no politicians serving as Cabinet Secretaries was just another of those sweet lies they freely dish out. By the time the 2017 elections arrive, capable, fire-proofed politicians like Moses Kuria may well be the most vocal at Cabinet meetings.

One would have supposed that after such a long time considering what changes and whom to appoint, the appointments would have had a philosophical underpinning to them that revealed a change of gears. This was however clearly not the decision of a person changing course but rather of one sticking to it. We must prepare ourselves for more of the same during Jubilee’s remaining term in office. We must get used to the fact that like will always replace like.

As for those secretaries that Kenya has been fortunate enough to see dropped from the Cabinet, dare we hope that we will see proceedings against them in court to their logical conclusion? This would be delusional. They will probably serve their time in the cold for a while before being sneaked in via the ‘lighter duties’ route.

The move to increase Cabinet positions and bloat the number of state departments from 26 to 41 was all to do with getting more cronies on the gravy train. The supposed difficulty in administering the ‘far too large departments’ comes not from any intrinsic operational impossibility but rather from the peculiar gauge calibre of the faculties of those charged with delivering on their mandate.

After the demise of the Jubilee government, it will be admitted albeit belatedly that these appointments marked a low point where the government failed to grasp what wananchi expected of it. It is a quintessential example of how not to run a government.

The President failed to see the need to extend a token olive branch by way of inclusivity to those capable and qualified but may not necessarily appeal to the traditional “secure the vote” logic. The government has powerfully reinforced the notion that it is at worst a government only for those who voted for it and at best only for those who may be persuaded to.

As president, one must be prepared to make decisions that are difficult and uncomfortable. President Uhuru has so far shown that he is most comfortable with soaring rhetoric that leads one to expect the heavens to fall only to be followed by the most predictable and tame action. He scores highly on the bonhomie and easy banter scale. Unfortunately, going by current events, he will relegate himself to that group of individuals who could have actually achieved something if only they had turned their words to deeds. Sad for him, tragic for the country.