Hello and welcome to the Thursday edition of the Evening Brief Newsletter where Kindiki and Raila are breaking their silence.
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Kindiki Re-emerges
After 14 days of silence, Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Kithure Kindiki has finally re-emerged in public.
During President William Ruto's tour of Tharaka Nithi County on Thursday, Kindiki was invited to address the crowd by the Head of State.
In his address, the CS nominee pledged to support the President in his agenda while thanking him for his renomination to the Cabinet.
Kindiki also praised Ruto for considering leaders in the opposition in the new broad-based government.
According to Kindiki, the broad-based government was a great step towards uniting the country.
"I want to promise you that, we as people who have been selected as CSs and PSs, shall support you and that we shall work with elected leaders, your party and all other leaders to ensure that your agenda is actualised.
"Thank you for uniting our country. This is now time for us to work. God bless you and we are behind you," he stated.
Kindiki was among the CSs who went silent after being dismissed alongside his colleagues from the previous Cabinet.
The CS was renominated to the Interior docket in the latest changes unveiled by Ruto. Notably, the CS will be the first nominee to be vetted on Thursday, August 1.
If approved, Kindiki will be making a return to the Cabinet alongside his former colleagues; Aden Duale (Environment), Soipan Tuya (Defence), Davis Chirchir (Transport), Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports), Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Alfred Mutua (Labour) Salim Mvurya (Trade) and Alice Wahome (Lands).
Changes Tracker
With more changes anticipated in government, the newsletter team will continuously keep you updated with the latest developments.
Here are the changes made by Ruto on Thursday:
- Douglas Kanja - Nominated as the Inspector General having served in acting Capacity for 12 days.
- Gilbert Masengeli - Appointed as the new Deputy Inspector-General (Administration Police Service).
- Eliud Langat - Appointed as the new Deputy Inspector General (Kenya Police Service).
"Pending the consideration of the nomination of Mr Douglas Kanja as Inspector-General of the National Police Service by both houses of Parliament, the Head of State has, in accordance with Section 16 of the National Police Service Act, 2011, designated Mr Gilbert Masengeli, the newly appointed Deputy Inspector General, Administration Police Service, as the acting Inspector-General of the National Police Service," read the notice in part.
Ruto Explains Cabinet Nominations
Amidst the ongoing debate over the recent Cabinet nominees, President William Ruto explained the rationale behind his decision to bring members of ODM on board.
Speaking in Tharaka Nithi, Ruto noted that his decision was based on his push to unite the country amidst growing divisions caused by the protests.
He expressed that he had been biased and that there was a need to change tact and have everyone contribute to the economic development of the country.
"Yesterday I formed a government that will bring all Kenyans together because I have decided that there is no need to be biased.
"Let us come together and build one government that will serve the people of Kenya and bring development to the country," Ruto stated.
Some of the opposition leaders who were picked for Cabinet include Nominated MP John Mbadi (Treasury), former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho (Mining), Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi (Energy).
Raila Replaced
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was replaced as the Azimio la Umoja leader on Thursday afternoon.
In changes announced by other coalition partners opposed to the dialogue with the government, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will serve as the head of the opposition coalition.
It was explained that the ODM boss was replaced to give him enough time to focus on his African Union campaigns.
"We want to thank our leader Raila Odinga who has led our coalition successfully since its formation. We know his quest for AUC leadership will enter a critical stage starting next week and we wish him luck as he prepares to take on the continental duties.
"Kalonzo Musyoka has continued to lead us while Raila has been out seeking the leadership of the African Union and we continue to ask him to guide us as a coalition. We have resolved he continues leading us even as we allow Raila to continue with AUC campaigns," Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni announced.
Raila is jostling to replace Moussa Faki as the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson. The elections are set for next year in February.
Raila's Take
Barely hours after his coalition partners replaced him as the Azimio leader, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga broke silence over the recent Cabinet nominations.
According to Raila, the appointment of some of his allies to the government did not mean that there was any pact with the Ruto administration.
He maintained that there was no coalition deal between ODM, Azimio la Umoja and President William Ruto's UDA.
Raila acknowledged that ODM members who were appointed were competent and would help in making the country better.
"As articulated in our statement on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, neither the ODM Party nor Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party has entered into any coalition agreement with President Ruto's UDA party.
"While we extend our best wishes to the nominees and trust that they will contribute positively to national development, we continue to advocate for a national engagement under the conditions we have previously outlined," the ODM boss stated.
Here are the top five stories for the day:
- Here is why President William Ruto may be forced to appoint a female Attorney General.
- Ruto's austerity plan hits a snag as parliament moves to save First & Second Lady's budgets.
- List of MPs who will be vetting the 20 nominated Cabinet Secretaries.
- 2 reasons that are costing Kenyans visa applications to Europe.
- How Ruto's ODM raid caught me unaware - Sifuna.
This newsletter was written by Washington Mito and edited by Brian Muuo.
Derrick Kubasu contributed to the content.
Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo.
