On Wednesday, November 2, President William Ruto's Chief of Staff Felix Koskei unveiled a list of the Head of State's preferred picks to occupy the 51 positions of Principal Secretary positions.
The list had a number of the President's loyalists including former nominated lawmaker Nixon Korir, Julius Korir and Teresia Mbaika among others.
Conspicuously missing, however, was a group of applicants who had earlier sailed through the first stage of applications and saw their names forwarded to the Head of State for consideration.
At the top of the list was Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati's wife Mary Chebukati.
Other shortlisted candidates who did not make the cut were former Nominated Member of Parliament David Ole Sankok as well as outgoing IEBC Commissioner Boya Molu.
The Head of State also turned his back on Principal Secretaries who had served under the fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta that sought to retain their positions.
They included Esther Koimett (Broadcasting and Telecommunications), Peter Kaberia (Industrialisation), Julius Jwan (Education), Saitoti Torome (Planning), and Nelson Marwa (Social Protection).
Others were Margaret Mwakimu (TVET) and Fred Sigor (Wildlife).
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi and Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth also did not make the final list although they had been shortlisted for the top job.
Belio Kipsang who served as the PS for Regional and Northern Corridor Development as well as Charles Hinga who was in the Housing Department were the only two PSs from Uhuru regime that were retained.
Other Ruto loyalists who were missing on the final appointment list were Isaac Mwaura (former nominated Senator), Chris Wamalwa who contested for the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat but lost, former Narok governor, Samuel Tunai and Daystar University Vice Chancellor Laban Ayiro.
In total, 585 candidates were shortlisted for the top jobs and subjected to an interview process in mid-October.
