Murmurs in Kirinyaga County over president Ruto’s pick for PS position
There is disquiet in Kirinyaga County, one of the Mt Kenya region that overwhelmingly voted for President William Ruto over his pick for the position of Principal Secretary from the region.
Today, the president nominated Mary Muthoni Muriuki as the Correctional Services PS nominee effectively replacing Caroline Nyawira Murage who has withdrawn her candidature from the plum post.
The Informer has established growing disquiet over the president’s choice of the pick from the region to be part of his government’s dream team both openly and in boardroom political strategy meetings by the Kenya Kwanza Alliance operatives.
“The pick from Kirinyaga is a total betrayal. We won’t shy away from saying as much.” One of the disgruntled top political honcho of Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties lamented in one of the meetings.
Last week, week unveiled his list of Principal Secretaries dominated by nominees from his Rift Valley backyard and Central Kenya.
Of the 51 slots, 14 – the highest – went to people from Rift Valley while 12 were handed to people from the larger Central region.
The list also saw the return of Principal Secretaries who served in the previous administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In the list drawn by Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, Ruto nominated 12 women.
PSs who have made a comeback include Julius Korir (Cabinet Affairs). He was Devolution PS in the Uhuru administration.
Immediate former Trade PS Chris Kiptoo has been nominated to the National Treasury, whereas Charles Hinga will continue holding fort at the Housing and Urban Development department.
Peter Tum, who served as Health PS in the Uhuru administration, has been nominated as PS Medical Services in the new administration.
Belio Kipsang, who was removed from the Basic Education department in changes instigated by the immediate former President in 2018, has returned to the ministry.
Also making a comeback is former Nairobi Deputy governor Jonathan Mueke who has been named PS Sports and the Arts.
In terms of regional balance, Western has been allocated nine positions of which Trans Nzoia has three slots, Bungoma three, Kakamega two and Busia one.
Nyanza has secured three slots, Coast four, Northeastern five and Lower Eastern three.
The appointments have drawn sharp reactions, with a section of leaders from Northeastern crying foul, saying the region has not been allocated a fair share.
