It is however unclear if the top three would be restored to their respective dockets or allocated new ones in the event the Head of State appoints fresh Cabinet members.
Despite President William Ruto’s stunning decision to dissolve his entire Cabinet and send home 21 Cabinet Secretaries (CS), except Musalia Mudavadi, a majority of Kenyans now believe that three of them should be reappointed to the Head of State’s new-look Cabinet.
A new survey by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA), whose report was published on Thursday revealed that Kithure Kindiki, Eliud Owalo and Ezekiel Machogu should be recalled owing to their track record, more than 20 months after being appointed.
“A significant portion of Kenyans, 40%, believe that performing cabinet secretaries should be reappointed, with Kithure Kindiki, Eliud Owalo, and Ezekiel Machogu being top mentions,” the report read in part.
President William Ruto and his Cabinet posing for a photo after a meeting on July 4, 2024. /PCS
61 percent of respondents urged President Ruto to recall Kindiki, who was in charge of the Ministry of Interior while 48 percent want Owalo back, having run the Ministry of ICT. 23 percent wanted Machogu reappointed, having manned the Ministry of Education.
It is however unclear if the top three would be restored to their respective dockets or allocated new ones in the event the Head of State appoints fresh Cabinet members.
The rest had single digits led by Ababu Namwamba, formerly CS for Youth, Sports & The Arts whom 7 percent wanted recalled, evidence of Kenyans demanding fresh faces in the Cabinet committed to serving the interests of Kenyans.
A total of 40 percent called for performing CSs to be reappointed, with 63 percent from the North Eastern region, the most, and 25 percent from both Nairobi and Nyanza, the least.
39 percent of those between the ages of 18-34 backed calls for the reappointment of performing CSs compared to 42 percent in the 35+ years category, evidence of the young people of Kenya calling for fresh faces to be appointed.
President Ruto’s decision to dissolve the Cabinet nonetheless received strong support, with 67 percent of respondents in favour, reflecting a desire for governmental change. 20 percent slightly supported it while the other 13 percent did not support the move at all.
On July 17, President Ruto gazetted the dissolution of his Cabinet and appointed Mudavadi as the acting Cabinet Secretary in all 21 ministries.
Before this, the Head of State announced that operations of the government would continue uninterrupted under the guidance of Principal Secretaries and other relevant officials.
Mudavadi, who doubles up as the Foreign Affairs CS, was the only member of Ruto’s Cabinet allowed to keep his job. Now, he has been tasked with assuming the responsibility of running the helm of the dockets rendered vacant by the President.
President William Ruto with Prrime CS Musalia Mudavadi at State House. /PCS