Inner War: Kenya Kwanza MPs Target President Ruto’s Cabinet
A vicious public attack on some Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) by President William Ruto’s close allies in Parliament has exposed the power intrigues and war within the Kwanza administration of Kenya.
Some of President Ruto’s members of parliament have become the most outspoken critics of the CSs, questioning their performance amid claims that other interests may be at play to prepare the ground for a potential cabinet reshuffle.
Multiple interviews with Kenya Kwanza MPs revealed a divide, but the majority of members insisted they were following President Ruto’s directive to hold the CSs accountable for delivering on their promises to the citizens.
Others, however, asserted that political witch-hunting and personal motives may be at the root of the intensified attacks on some CSs. Some members stated that the questioning of some CSs was “intended to crucify them.”
On Wednesday (August 23), Sports and Youth Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba became the latest state official to face significant criticism over allegations that he failed to facilitate the Kenyan Special Olympics team that competed in Berlin, Germany in June.
CS Namwamba was forced to retract and apologize for a letter he sent to Speaker Moses Wetang’ula in which he accused National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei of using “hearsay” in their criticism of his ministry.
Mr. Ichung’wah, Mr. Cherargei, and Uasin Gishu Woman MP Gladys Shollei prompted the attack on the CS, who told the House that he did not need to resign because “I am doing an exemplary job.”
Labour CS Florence Bore, Foreign Affairs counterpart Alfred Mutua, Susan Nakhumicha (Health), Eliud Owalo (ICT), and Prof Kindiki Kithure (Internal Affairs) are among the CSs targeted by Kenya Kwanza MPs regarding their mandates.
Some of them have been sanctioned for failing to appear to answer inquiries from members of the Senate and the National Assembly.
The escalation of daily pressure by the ruling alliance MPs on the CSs to deliver comes just weeks after President Ruto publicly reprimanded a number of his ministers for not knowing their schedules.
Some high-ranking government officials have been embroiled in controversies while performing their duties, with officials publicly contradicting each other and in some cases exceeding their mandates.
Recently, CS Kindiki and CS Owalo contradicted one another regarding the controversial operation of Worldcoin. The two have since been questioned by lawmakers and are scheduled to appear again to provide additional information.
Mr. Ichungwah warned CSs and other state officials on Wednesday (August 23) that they have no alternative but to account to the people of Kenya. He stated that he would not use his position as Majority Leader to shield underperforming government employees.
“No member of Congress serves at the discretion of the CS. Mr. Ichung’wah stated when CS Namwamba appeared before the National Assembly, “I wish to inform the minister before us and all ministers that I do not hold briefs for any CS or other state official.”
“Some may erroneously believe that I am here to hold briefings for CSs, but I would hold you accountable just as the minority would,” the Kikuyu lawmaker continued. However, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa (UDA) told the Nation that some of the escalating attacks against some CSs were not authentic, but rather intended to settle political scores.
Mr. Barasa also asserted that some members of the ruling alliance used their oversight responsibilities to solicit favors from the ministry. He claims that some are using their positions to coerce the executive team into giving in to their demands.
“You do not expect a minister to wait at the airport for athletes. Some subordinate officials can perform this function. We are aware that rent-seekers exist in this country. Perhaps some proxies were not awarded certain contracts. Mr. Barasa stated, “If you don’t get a contract, you start shouting in the legislature.”
Owen Baya, the Deputy Majority Leader of the National Assembly, told GossipA2Z.com that some CSs had failed Kenyans and should be called out for failing to fulfill their mandate.
“The President is very explicit that we must force them to work for Kenyans to keep our promises to Kenyans. Mr. Owen stated that Kenyans feel let down by the Ministry of Sports.
David Ole Sankok, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), stated that non-performing CSs should be willing to step down to make room for those who are willing to work on implementing Kenya’s Kwanza agenda.
“Let them know that if there is a reshuffle, it will not be based on friendship or the number of votes you brought to the table, but purely on performance,” Mr. Sankok advised. He added, “If you want to work for this government, you cannot be lazy.” If you cannot deliver, leave it to those who can do so.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni asserted that the negative narrative against some of the CS could be a lure to induce a cabinet reshuffle because some of them were not performing.
Mr. Wandayi advised the CS (Namwamba) to be a good student of history. “If you hear Mr. Ichung’wah, Ms. Shollei, and Senator Cherargei pushing such a narrative against you, you can guess the outcome,” he said.
Mr. Kioni stated that, based on his experience with previous administrations, whenever there is a plan to reorganize the executive, narratives of poor performance are advanced against those who are slated for removal.
“I can envision a scenario in which some CSs are set up by their superiors to justify a reshuffle. Mr. Kioni stated that they could create opportunities for some of the individuals he appointed for their roles in the campaigns.
Ms. Shollei accused the ministry of neglecting athletes, disclosing that in some instances she was compelled to host athletes after ministry officials failed to do so.
“I’ve hosted them for breakfast and lunch, and we’ve discussed their challenges while they’ve shared their harrowing stories. They fly economy, while ministry officials fly business and first class with 14-hour layovers, according to Ms. Shollei. She also claimed that the country’s athletes don counterfeit uniforms from River Road in Nairobi.
“Recently, when our team traveled to Tunisia for the beach games, they donned counterfeit River Road uniforms. “The team that traveled to Trinidad and Tobago also wore counterfeit uniforms,” she added.
However, CS Namwamba denied the allegations, stating that the team did not wear Adidas-branded apparel.
“At this level, the Kenyan team does not use Adidas.” In actuality, the Kenyan National Olympic Committee has an existing contract with Nike, so Nike outfits Kenyan teams. We are unaware of any counterfeit Adidas,” stated the customer service representative.
On July 5, Mr. Ichung’wah also criticized CS Bore for failing to appear in Parliament to address questions from MPs. “All cabinet secretaries must understand that they are not appearing before the National Assembly or Parliament as a favor to anyone. “As a House, we must make it clear that we will not allow any Cabinet Secretary to take advantage of us,” the Kikuyu lawmaker stated.
He added, “No matter how powerful or mighty you believe yourself to be, you must respect the representatives of the people and Parliament.”
The Senate criticized Dr. Mutua and Ms. Nakhumicha earlier this month for failing to appear to answer legislators’ questions.
Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot stated, “I would like to bring to your attention that this is unbecoming behavior on the part of the two CSs. “Appearing in Parliament is neither a privilege nor a laughing matter.”
Senator Boni Khalwale urged the legislature to adopt the stance that it will not consider any business brought by CSs who do not show up when invited.
“If individuals wish to engage in joyriding, they may do so outside of the legislative and executive branches. The country requires us to be prodded to deliver where we are. Senator from Kakamega: “We cannot do that if we have people who prioritize travel over government business.”
Inner War: Kenya Kwanza MPs Target President Ruto’s Cabinet
