President Ruto must get it right in his new Cabinet picks, Kenyans say

Persons with disabilities lighting candles in remembrance of Austin Onyiso a youth with a disability who was shot six times during a recent anti-Finance Bill protest in Nakuru. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

President William Ruto’s move to sack his entire Cabinet has been received with mixed reactions.

While many praised the move, others faulted his decision to retain the Prime Cabinet Secretary. They said Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is holding an illegal office and should have been sent packing.

Felix Mongo, a youth leader in Baringo, said Ruto’s decision to dissolve the Cabinet marks a pivotal moment for the county.

Mongo wants the President to appoint professionals instead of reinstating former CSs.

“It’s time for a new era of leadership that prioritises competence and innovation for the betterment of our country,” he said.

Kericho Catholic Diocese Bishop Alfred Rotich prayed for divine guidance as President Ruto navigates the challenges ahead.

“Let us pray that the Holy Spirit may guide the President in this moment of discernment,” Bishop Rotich said.

Political analyst Andrew Nyabuto described it as a step in the right direction.

Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni said Cabinet purge was long overdue. “This is something that should have been done a long time ago,” he said.

Former NHIF Chief Executive Geoffrey Mwangi said the future rests on whether the President will reach out to the youth or fall back on his loyalists.

“President Ruto has acknowledged that the people have spoken and that he is out of touch,” Mwangi said.

In Nyanza, residents were optimistic that the purge on Cabinet will help shape the country’s future.

Presiding bishop of Zion Assembly Church of God Joshua Amara said the Head of State made the right decision.

“His Cabinet had a clique of people who were there to feed themselves first before feeding the nation,” he said.

Geoffrey Onyango, a youth in Migori Town lauded the President for the move saying the next government should have the face of Kenya.

Onyango said Ruto should first consider the youth.

Knight Achieng’, a Gen Z in Migori Town, said Ruto should address their demands.

“We have seen our efforts bearing fruit,”  Achieng’ said.

Nyatike MP Tom Odege said dissolution of Cabinet was long overdue.

“The country was at its lowest now everyone is watching how he’ll save his face in the formation of the new Cabinet,” Odege said.

In Kisumu, residents said the move is good for the country.

Kevin Omollo, a student leader at Maseno University, challenged the Head of State to give the youth a chance in the new Cabinet.

Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako said the country is at a crossroads.

“The next Cabinet should be subjected to vetting by Gen Z. They should remain alert,” he said.

Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi said Kenyans hope this will be the beginning of a better future.

Taita Taveta Speaker Anselim Mwadime said the lives of 50 million Kenyans are more important than 40 Cabinet Secretaries.

“The President has listened to the voices of Kenyans and sent his Cabinet home for miserably failing him. Let us give him time to reorganise his government,” said Mwadime.

The Mgange-Mwanda Ward Rep said sending home an incompetent Cabinet and picking a new one will solve myriad problems facing the country.

Kenya International Freight Warehouse Association (KIFWA) said the dissolution of the Cabinet will allow Ruto to form a government with people of integrity.

“I hope he will now appoint an inclusive government composed of people with integrity to end corruption and wastage in the government,” said KIFWA National Chairman Roy Mwanthi.

In Meru and Tharaka Nithi, the home counties of former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and his Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki were shocked by the turn of events.

“No, please. Let me spare my thoughts for now,” said an MP who sought anonymity.

But James Kithinji a resident of Maara, said the Head of State had done the unthinkable.

In North Rift, a section of leaders and residents described Ruto’s Cabinet as a ‘let down’ saying it failed to meet the expectations of Kenyans.

“I support the move and it is my hope that he gets a new team to steer the country in the right direction,” Kesses MP Julius Rutto said.

Joseph Sang, a farmer in Uasin Gishu said qualified people should be allowed to apply for CS posts and be interviewed and picked on merit.

“We were disappointed to see the distribution of substandard fertiliser through government agencies,” said Sang.

In Kitale, Justus Wanyonyi said CSs should be people of integrity.

“It is a bold move by the president. The Cabinet had failed the country,” said Wanyonyi.

In Kakamega, Bishop Julius Abungana, Organising Secretary of the Federation of Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya said Ruto’s next picks should reflect budget cuts and national face to gain national acceptance. 

“I hope he will land on people who have national and not personal interest at heart,” he said.

Report by James Munyeki, Yvonne Chepkwony, Nikko Tanui, Kennedy Gachuhi, Clinton Ambujo, Anne Atieno, Willis Oketch, Renson Mnyamwezi, Titus Too, Osinde Obare, Martin Ndiema, Robert Amalemba and Edward Kosut.