Kenyans were on Friday surprised after President Uhuru Kenyatta named part of his cabinet nominees, leaving out top leaders who were reportedly lobbying for the posts.
The last general elections saw several politicians lose their seats and shelve their political ambitions.
Many from opposition strongholds defected to Jubilee in what many termed as committing” political suicide.”
These include Ababu Namwamba, Paul Otuoma, Hassan Omar, Gideon Mungaro amog many others.
A fierce political battle was also faught in Jubilee strongholds, with many influential people losing their seats. These include Kinuthia Mbugua, Maina Kamanda, Peter Munya, William Kabogo among many others.
In his New Year address to the Nation, the president stated that he would “unveil the men and women to whom I will entrust delivery of the ‘Big Four’, and other programmes that will transform this country.
With the president keen on safeguarding his legacy and delivering his promises to Kenyans, he was true to his word and settled on those who he believed could help him to achieve this, leaving out Namwamba, Ruto, Munya, Omar and Otuoma.
He added that he would “expect these men and women to serve Kenyans without partiality and with the very highest standard of integrity and efficiency”.
Under Article 131 and 152 of The Constitution of Kenya 2010, it is the President who is tasked with appointing people to serve in the cabinet. Despite the intense lobbying that reportedly took place, the final decision rested with the president, and he decided to leave them out for now.
With a few more slots remaining, it remains to be seen who among them will find a place in the cabinet.