President William Ruto has come under sharp criticism a day after nominating 51 Principal Secretaries.
A section of leaders, mostly from the Azimio la Umoja coalition, called out the head of state for failing to meet the gender balance pledged during the campaigns prior to the August 9 General Election.
In particular, Ruto was criticised for failing to implement his 50/50 gender balance in his cabinet.
Others also lamented over regional balance in the appointments even as Ruto was urged to make changes.
In a statement, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina opined that the list was mostly dominated by two regions that supported the Ruto's presidential bid overwhelmingly during the elections.
"We told you the Ruto's government will be a tribe affair, not a Kenyan affair. Not a Mama Mboga or bottom-up affair. Look at the PS list.
"You asked for it you will cry about it and they will still amend the constitution. I told you the moment is here!" the senator expressed.
However, Ruto's allies came out to defend the head of state who they stated factored in gender and regional balance in the appointments.
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot opined that Ruto focused more on balancing with respect to the appointee's counties.
"It's unfortunate that we are wired to think tribe. The proper representation of Kenya Post 2010 constitution is counties. That's even the language of our constitution. In the PS appointments, 42 out of 47 counties are represented," he stated.
President William Ruto PSs appointments are a story of great competence, regional balance, rewarding sacrifice and generally bold picks," digital strategist, Dennis Itumbi echoed.
Nonetheless, the duo's arguments did not sit well with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna who stated that county balance cannot be conceived as regional balance.
"Luhyas can be found in all 47 Counties. If I were President and picked one Luhya from each of the 47 Counties would that be “proper representation “post-2010 Constitution in your view leader?" he posed.
Out of 51 nominated PSs, only 12 were women making 23 per cent of the appointments.
Notable Kenyans who were nominated include former Langata MP Nixon Korir (Lands), Belio Kipsang (Basic Education) and Prof Edward Kisiangani (Broadcasting and Telecommunications).
