President Uhuru Kenyatta has instructed the 19 Cabinet Secretaries to prepare handover notes, hinting at the possibility of unveiling his second-term cabinet soon.
The new directive is procedural to facilitate a smooth transition for the various ministries in the event of a major reshuffle.
President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have been silent on the matter of appointments as The Star reports that the two are planning a retreat to draw up the list.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta with his Deputy William Ruto"]
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Speculation has been rife over the Secretaries most likely to be left out in the fresh appointments.
A section of Central Kenya politicians has asked the President to strike out Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri in his new cabinet while Ameru leaders have pleaded with President Kenyatta not to leave out Lands CS Jacob Kaimenyi.
"It is a delicate balance. The changes must win political goodwill and must ensure a lot is achieved in the limited time in the President's last term," an insider at State House recently explained.
Key factors influencing the Presidential team's consideration regional and ethnic diversity, factor in merit and gender balance, while at the same time rewarding political loyalty with the 2022 succession also at play.
Sources have conveyed that the President intends to appoint 22 members to his new cabinet, 80% being professionals in various fields while 20% being political allies.
Some of the big names eyeing the top positions include former Meru Governor Peter Munya, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, former Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and former Funyula MP Paul Otuoma.
Former Governor Munya on Friday stated that his bid for the presidency in 2022 is dependent on the position President Kenyatta will give him in the government.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta with his deputy William Ruto during the launch of Jubilee's 2017 manifesto"]
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