?? Cabinet Special: Ruto's Last Minute Changes, Drama Over ODM CSs Slots
Hello and welcome to the Tuesday edition of the Evening Brief Newsletter where it is all about the surprises and drama over Ruto's broad-based Cabinet.
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Ruto's Change of Heart?
Barely four days after a section of the Cabinet was unveiled, President William Ruto made more changes to his starting 11, causing confusion in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
As revealed through a communication sent to the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Ruto reassigned Aden Duale to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.?
Initially, Ruto had nominated his long-time political ally to the Defence docket, a position he had held before the dissolution of the Cabinet.
Consequently, Soipan Tuya, who had earlier been nominated to the Environment docket, was moved to Defence.
The changes saw MPs question the communication read by the Speaker, forcing Wetangula to read the list twice for clarity.
While justifications for the latest changes were not revealed, Wetangula noted that it was the prerogative of the Head of State to choose his team and the dockets he wanted them to head.
Meanwhile, Duale took to social media to congratulate the President on the nomination, reiterating his commitment to serving the President and the nation in any capacity.
"I look forward to serving in my new portfolio and ensuring the focus is on sustainable environmental management, combating climate change, and promoting reforestation and conservation efforts.?
"Indeed, 'And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows, but you do not know.' - Quran 2:216," the CS nominee quoted.
Wetangula Clears Airs on Vetting
Following the Communication from the President, Wetangula announced that the Committee on Appointments would begin the vetting of the nominees in the coming days.
At the same time, he addressed various concerns raised by some of the lawmakers and lawyers on social media.
Will Parliament Vet CSs who were reappointed from the previous Cabinet?
The Speaker announced that all the?11 nominees would be vetted afresh even if they were in the last Cabinet.
"Under the Constitution and the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, everybody, whether they were in the dismissed Cabinet or not, once reappointed must be vetted by this House. That is the law," he stated.
The six appointees in question include; Kithure Kindiki (Interior) Aden Duale (Environment), Soipan Tuya (Defence), Alica Wahome (Lands), Davis Chirchir (Transport) and Rebecca Miano (Attorney General).
Can a dismissed CS be reappointed to Cabinet?
According to Wetangula, the President was in order to reconsider some members from the previous Cabinet.
He reiterated that the nominees would only be barred from being reappointed if they were found guilty of mismanaging public funds or being incompetent.
"The dismissal (gazette notice) assigned no reasons and therefore they are eligible for reappointed. Therefore, you (MPs) will vet them and vote for them," the Speaker ruled.
Things Fall Apart in ODM
A communication by ODM Secretary General Senator Edwin Sifuna has?exposed the ongoing wrangles at Chungwa House.
Barely after the SG warned its members against taking up Cabinet slots in the Ruto government, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma revealed that the communication was contrary to an agreement that was reached during a Parliamentary Group meeting last week.
According to Kaluma, Raila is set to have some of his allies appointed to Ruto's Cabinet as part of the broad-based government approach.
Kaluma also warned Sifuna that the party would take action should he continue issuing statements contrary to the earlier arrangement.
"Any ODM member who makes themselves available to join the Kenya Kwanza cabinet or any other position should know that they do so without the blessing or support of the party," Sifuna stated.
"We want to send a warning to people sending conflicting positions from ODM to remember that they are there in an interim position. We can remove them," Kaluma responded.
"I want to request the President that within the week, as soon as tomorrow, we want to see those appointments Baba (Raila) was to forward to him and we want all of them approved. If that can happen, then we are going to push this thing very fast," Kaluma responded.
Notably, a similar fallout was witnessed between ODM chairperson John Mbadi and Siaya Governor James Orengo who?warned his fellow party members against joining Ruto's Cabinet.
"Taking the Cabinet Secretary position in the name of ODM betrays the principles of the Constitution and the progressive movement which the party represents. It's absolute treachery and an act of political cannibalism. Even hyenas are not as bloodthirsty to eat the dead. Watching you tomorrow," the governor stated.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that ODM Deputy Party Leaders Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya and John Mbadi may be considered for Cabinet positions.
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This newsletter was written by Washington Mito and edited by Brian Muuo.
Derrick Kubasu contributed to the content.
Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo.
Attended Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology center for E-Learning
4 个月Thank you Mr president