MPs Demand Regional Balance in Ruto's State Appointment

President William Ruto signs the Supplementary Appropriations Bill into Law at State House in Nairobi.
President William Ruto signs the Supplementary Appropriations Bill into Law at State House in Nairobi.
Photo
John Michuki

A fresh battle is brewing among a section of Members of Parliament (MP) allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the Azimio coalition and President William Ruto over government appointments.

The MPs have accused President Ruto of sidelining some regions when it comes to government appointments.

West Mugirango Member of Parliament Stephen Mugaka and his Manyatta counterpart Gitonga Mukunji called out President William Ruto for sidelining the Gusii region in government appointments after joining hands with Raila Odinga in the Broad-based government.

Speaking during a funeral service at Kebirigo Central SDA church in West Mugirango on Friday, February 7, the leaders called out the president for segregating them despite promising that he would forge a united and all-inclusive government.

Steve mugaka
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mugaka speaking during a burial ceremony, February 7, 2025.
Photo
Steve Mugaka

"This is the point to consider having the Gusii community appointed. We are pleading; let's help each other so that Kenya can forge forward. Kisiis are Kenyans too, and our work is very evident," Mogaka pleaded.

The leaders also endorsed a possible presidential candidature for the former Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiangi.

MP Makunji revealed that it was time for the community to forge unity and have their leaders at the forefront in government positions.

"We should be planning for the future; we can have someone like Matiang'i together with Mogaka at the top and push them forward," the Manyatta MP advised.

There have been talks of having the former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i vie for the presidency come 2027. Already leaders from Jubilee have backed his alleged presidential bid.

Their concerns come months after other leaders from the region accused Ruto of allegedly withdrawing funding for key projects, particularly in infrastructure.

The leaders accused the national government of halting an airport project that was set to begin in 2022.

Since the broad-based government leaders allied to former prime minister Raila have been ripping big with appointments in the Cabinet and government boards.

Among the beneficiaries are John Mbadi, who bagged the Treasury docket; Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum); Hassan Joho (Mining); Beatrice Askul (EAC) and Wycliffe Oparanya, who was tapped to head the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development.

The president has also been camping in the Nyanza region, launching development projects in the region.

Ruto Raila
President William Ruto and Raila Odinga in Homa Bay on Friday, December 27. PHOTO/ Courtesy.