Delicate balancing act as governors pick cabinets

Nakuru governor Susan Kihika during a meeting with Health officials and staff at Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital - PGH in Nakuru City on August 30, 2022. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

A section of governors in South Rift counties have been forced to make tough choices as they set up their cabinets.

In Nakuru, Governor Susan Kihika, who promised to craft a government that will build bridges among different ethnic groups, is having challenges unveiling a Cabinet that will meet political interests in the cosmopolitan county.

Kihika plans to replace all 10 CECs and 19 chief officers, who served in the previous administration ahead of the next Tuesday's inaugural address at the county assembly.

Last week, she interviewed potential candidates for Cabinet posts to ensure she picks "problem solvers and consensus builders" in her team.

The interview came just two weeks after the county government placed an advertisement on county jobs in the local dailies.

Most candidates who appeared before the governor between Monday and Thursday were her allies and supporters who spearheaded the governor campaigns in the General Election.

Her allies say Kihika is keen on appointing people with a proven track record in managing public affairs.

In the neighbouring Kericho County, the process of appointing executive members has caused a rift between Governor Erick Mutai and his deputy Fred Kirui.

Kirui has openly complained that his boss has sidelined him in appointment of the Cabinet. "It was agreed that upon being elected, we would share the county leadership in the ratio of 40 per cent to 60 per cent."

"My negotiated share of the Cabinet slots in the list that has been submitted to the county assembly for vetting is not reflected," he added.

Dr Mutai picked Kirui as his deputy two days before the UDA primaries on April 13.

The deal brokered by Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, former Roads minister Franklin Bett and elders led to the defeat of former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and former Deputy Governor Lilly Ngok in the UDA nominations.

Kirui has accused Mutai of going against their pre-election deal. "Whereas it is within the mandate of the governor to appoint the CECs, he was morally obligated to consult me and to give effect to the pre-election agreement," he said.

The governor took issue with his deputy for complaining on social media about the appointments, saying he should have approached him or written a formal complaint letter.

In Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha has picked former Kinangop MP Mburu Kinyanjui among 10 Cabinet nominees.

If approved by the assembly, the former MP who served between 2013 and 2017, will be the CEC for Roads and Public Works.

The governor fulfilled his promise to appoint more women to the executive after nominating Mary Kamande to the Finance and Planning docket, Cecilia Wangari (Education, Culture and Arts), Agnes Wamahiga (Tourism and Cooperatives) while 29-year-old Catherine Njeri will serve in the Youth docket.

Badilisha also nominated to the cabinet his political allies, Paul Wanjau (Public Service), Francis Miringu (Agriculture and Livestock) while Samuel Wachira will be in charge of Water and Environment.

Another ally of the governor, Dr Kariuki Gichuki, who served as the Health CEC in the neighbouring Nakuru County, has been nominated to serve in the same capacity.

Additional reporting by Nikko Tanui and James Munyeki