Looming changes in Ruto administration to reward new allies

President William Ruto chairs a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, on November 14, 2024. [File, Standard]

When President William Ruto spoke on Sunday, he emphasized need to enhance the broad based government agenda.

His speech during a church service in Soweto hinted at looming changes within his administration at a time talk of an impending overhaul in the Kenya Kwanza government, is rife.

“Our quest is to unite all Kenyans and we don’t want to discriminate. We have said no to tribalism and will also abandon coalitions talks. That is why we have a broad based government and we are steering it,” he said.

“We want everybody to get in government so that we walk together. Or do you want us to disunite? Let’s unite everyone so that we work together.”

Four days later, the Public Service Commission has advertised for the position of Principal Secretary (PS), a purge in Parliament has already claimed its first casualty and a reshuffle of three Cabinet Secretaries, is reportedly, in the wings.

The Standard has learnt that the Head of State is keen on reshuffling his Cabinet to fill the vacant position of Ministry of Gender, Arts and Culture.

This is after the National Assembly in August this year rejected President Ruto’s nomination of Stella Soi Lang’at. The reshuffle is said to target three dockets.

The advertisement for position of a Principal Secretary yesterday further gives credence to reports of impending changes within the ranks of Principal Secretaries.

The Standard has also established that as part of the horse-trading between President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, Ruto is set to fire some PSs in favour of those to be seconded by Odinga’s ODM, for the role that the party played to ensure impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The ODM party which holds significant numbers in the National Assembly and the Senate is said to have mobilised its members to ensure the ouster motion sailed through and that it is now among outfits seeking a reward.

“Following various reassignments within the senior ranks of the Executive, a vacancy has arisen among the ranks of Principal Secretaries,” reads the advertisement by PSC Chairperson Anthony Muchiri.

It states that applications must be received by December 4, 2024, via manual delivery, online submission, or postal mail. Once appointed, the Principal Secretary will serve as the State Department’s accounting and authorised officer. Their responsibilities will include enacting government policies, strategic plans, and intergovernmental programmes and projects.

They will also be in charge of creating and implementing effective performance management systems, ensuring the efficient use of financial, human, and other resources, and submitting statutory reports as needed. 

Further, they will be responsible for promoting the constitutional values and principles outlined in Articles 10 and 232 in the State Department’s operations. 

And in further alignment with the broad-based agenda, a purge in the legislature has already claimed its first victim. Laikipia Senator John Kinyua who was serving in the Parliamentary Service Commission resigned on Tuesday.

Kinyua, who is a Gachagua ally, had served for two years but was reportedly forced out following weeks of sustained pressure from ‘external political forces.’ 

UDA, has since picked Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga to replace Kinyua. This was manifested by a Supplementary Order Paper of the Senate dated November 19, 2024.

It slated a motion on the appointment of a Member of Parliament to Parliamentary Service Commission.

Other allies said to be soon facing the axe at the Senate include Kiambu Senator Karungu Thang’wa, John Methu (Nyandarua), James Murango (Kirinyaga), Kanar Seki (Kajiado) and Joe Nyutu (Murang’a). Thang’wa chairs the trade and industrialisation committee while Nyutu chairs the education committee. 

The plot to oust the Senators was confirmed by Thang’wa last month. “We have been threatened and told that we are going to be removed from chairmanship. Bring it on. I was elected by the people of Kiambu. They never knew there were chairs inside Parliament,” he said.

At the National Assembly, a shake-up is also imminent with several committee chairpersons potentially facing the axe as part of a re-alignment of Parliament with the current government by Ruto. Sources said MPs who opposed or hesitated during the impeachment motion against Gachagua have a political noose around their necks.

Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Ndindi Nyoro is expected to be affected by the changes with Finance and National Planning committee chair Kuria Kimani reportedly set to replace him.

Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru are among other leaders who stood with Gachagua during his ouster process and could be victims of the purge.

Gakuya chairs the National Assembly Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives but his reality could change in the wake of the new found relationship between Ruto and Raila under the broad-based government. Gakuya and Gathiru were among a minority 44 MPs who opposed the ouster motion.