Two weeks after he was inaugurated as Kenya’s fifth President, the country is waiting with bated breath for Dr William Samoei Ruto to name his dream Cabinet.
But the waiting could be longer if the hint given by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua is anything to go by. On Saturday, and while in Baringo for the funeral of the deputy governor Mr Kipng’ok, Mr Gachagua said that the President needed two to three more weeks to pick both Cabinet and Principal Secretaries in one go.
Principal Secretaries are, as per law, appointed competitively by the Public Service Commission (PSC) whose receipt of applications will close on Tuesday, September 27 and thereafter shortlisting and interviews are expected within two weeks.
The names of successful candidates will then be taken to the President for his final pick.
As for Cabinet Secretaries, the President will make nominations and send their names to the National Assembly for vetting before appointment.
Musalia Mudavadi is expected to be appointed a Chief Cabinet Secretary. Others expected to land plum CS positions include Justin Muturi, Kithure Kindiki, Ababu Namwamba, Josphat Nanok, Moses Kuria, Kipchumba Murkomen, among others.
President Ruto cabinet will have a maximum 22 CS’es and an Attorney General. He has pledged to appoint as many women as possible.
He, however, has leeway to appoint more than 40 Principal Secretaries. He will also be at liberty to appoint Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) whose main role would be liaison between the ministries and parliament.
Dr Ruto rode on reducing the cost of living. He has been consistent to talk about consumer protection matters so far
