Thirdway Alliance leader Ekuru Aukot has unveiled his shadow Cabinet and senior advisers with the aim of putting President Uhuru Kenyatta's government in check.
According to the 2017 Presidential election candidate, his cabinet appointments comprise people without questionable integrity and who were not recycled from previous public service positions.
In his statement shortly before naming the appointees, Aukot termed the nominees as "well educated Kenyans with a fresh train of thought who meet the criteria on leadership and integrity."
[caption caption="Dr. Ekuru Aukot"]
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The appointees include Irene Kemunto for Foreign Affairs, Ann Wamuyu Kimunyu (Public Service, Youth and Gender), Maureen Wangati (Tourism), Winnie Muya (East African Community and Northern Corridor), John Kaburu Busunkwi (Lands) and Ricky Omondi (Defence).
Others are Naftary Mose (Agriculture and Irrigation), John Wachira (Energy), Dr. Kirimi Wanjagi (ICT), Newton Omkambe (Education) and Mossin Khan (Heritage, Youth and Sports), and Dominic Kipkemoi (Transport and Infrastructure).
Dr. Aukot also nominated Jackson Ekaru as the Petroleum and Mining Shadow CS, Eunice Ng'ang'a (Legal Adviser shadowing the office of the Attorney General), Jonathan Odongo (Environment and Forestry) and Were Conrad (Treasury).
He finally named Beth Besu (Health), Beatrice Waithiru (Water and Sanitation), Aisha Karanja (Labour and Social Protection), Dr. Angela Mwikali (Industrialization and Enterprise) and Cyprian Nyambane for the Devolution department.
One appointee, Cyprian Nyambane, has since acknowledged the appointment and thanked Dr. Aukot for the opportunity to shadow the Devolution ministry.
Thank you @EAukot For appointing me the Shadow CS Devolution and ASAL areas. Looking forward to a great engagement. #reduceparliament
— Cyprian Ongeri™ (@cyprianongeri1) February 22, 2018
During the unveiling of the names at Serena Hotel, Dr. Aukot stated that the step was a fulfillment of his promises during the last campaigns in ensuring the involvement of youth and women in the government.
Another appointee applauded the opposition politician for what he termed as demonstration of courage.
I thank God and our party leader @EAukot for the confidence he has shown in me to give me the opportunity to serve my country. May God grant me enough Grace to serve my country and fulfill our party purpose in making kenya a safe haven. @fokango @CpaWaweru #shadowcabinet
— Rotah Ricky (@rotahricky) February 22, 2018
In unveiling the shadow cabinet, Dr. Aukot termed the move as an indicator of his preparedness to lead the country in the future referring to his team as the "Government in Waiting."
[caption caption="President Uhuru with his Cabinet Secretaries at State House"]
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Dr. Aukot's appointments come shortly after the swearing-in of President Uhuru's new CSs at State House, Nairobi.
