Ruto allies isolated in new Cabinet changes

 The Wednesday reorganization of executive functions resulted in whittling down of key Ruto allies in the Cabinet. 

CS Charles Keter who was Energy Cabinet Secretary was transferred to Devolution portfolio which was hived off major roles.

The roles removed from Devolution docket are the ones concerning Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALS) which geographically make up most of Kenya’s landmass. Keter will be restricted to intergovernmental relations of National and County governments and capacity building to make devolution succeed. He will also be tasked with formulating policies to entrench ugatuzi.

Another Ruto ally whose ministry was downsized is Labour’s Simon Chelugui. He lost the Social Protection component to CS Margaret Kobia-led expanded Public Service ministry.

Wamalwa’s moment

The winners in the cabinet reshuffle are Prof Margaret Kobia, Dr (Amb) Monica Juma and Eugene Wamalwa.

Mr Wamalwa is the new Defence minister. He is the former Devolution and Asals CS.

Juma is Uhuru’s fix-it point person as she was tasked with identifying the mess in the Energy docket and offering a solution. President Uhuru has also issued an executive order to Kenya Power to reduce the price of electricity it levies its customers.

Prof Kobia was entrusted with more responsibilities such as Special Programmes which were not part of her docket when she was appointed earlier. Kobia will be in charge of all ASALS functions which were hived from Devolution docket. Her new ministry is now known as the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes.

STORY By MUSYOKA NGUI, EDITED By MWINGI TIMES