Forgotten Faces From Uhuru's 1st Cabinet

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking during the launch of a new youth programme, Generation Unlimited Kenya, on Thursday, August 4, 2020
President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking during the launch of a new youth programme, Generation Unlimited Kenya, on Thursday, August 4, 2020
PSCU

When President Uhuru Kenyatta named his first Cabinet in 2013, a glimmer of hope spread through the country. 

Kenyans were hopeful that his term would take off on the right foot but only time would tell if he would be vindicated. 

However, a few years into the first term, scandals rocked his dream team and many of them became casualties of his whip. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto announce Cabinet members at State House, Nairobi on April 23, 2013.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto announce Cabinet members at State House, Nairobi on April 23, 2013.
File

After leaving Cabinet, many of them ceased to feature in the news cycle while others were given assignments outside the country.

Jacob Kaimenyi 

Being appointed as Education CS is guaranteed to catapult the office holder into the limelight. 

Being in charge of the future and learning of the 15 million students in the country. 

On 23rd November, 2015, he was moved to the Ministry of Lands where he served until his appointment as Kenya's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxemburg and Head of Mission to the European Union.

He summed up his experience in Cabinet in his memoirs 
Betrayal of Public Trust, where he detailed how he was morals and ethics were tested.

Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Jacob Kaimenyi
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Jacob Kaimenyi
File

Michael Kamau

The trained engineer was suspended from the Cabinet on 28 March 2015 on allegations of corruption and charged in court with abuse of office on 4 June 2015.

The charges were a stark contrast with his legacy during the former President Mwai Kibaki's tenure.

He was seen as the face behind Kibaki's success in rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, first as Roads engineer and later as a PS. 

Former Transport CS Michael Kamau
Former Transport CS Michael Kamau
File

Pyllis Kandie

Kandie had a stellar career in finance when President Kenyatta tapped her to head the East African affairs and Labor docket.

When she was dropped from Cabinet in January 2018, she was appointed as an ambassador.

She is married to Ambassador Julius Kandie, a Kenyan diplomat and former Solicitor General.

Felix Kosgey 

Koskei’s appointment to Jubilee’s first Cabinet, in 2013, ended prematurely in March 2015 when he was suspended from office over corruption allegations. 

This followed a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta that all government officials mentioned in a graft dossier authored by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to step aside.

Over 170 officials were said to be on the list, whose tabling was seen as a major Government move to take the fight against corruption a notch higher. The dossier was however criticised by some quarters as a witch-hunt.

David Chirchir

Chirchir was appointed to Cabinet for his experience in project development, management and execution and skills in strategic analysis and financial management.

He previously served as a Commissioner at the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

Previously General Manager at Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation he coordinated the restructuring of KPTC to create Telkom Kenya, Communications Authority, Postal Corporation of Kenya and staff pension fund.

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