Shortly before former President Uhuru Kenyatta named his first cabinet in 2013, current President William Ruto, the then Deputy President, boldly proclaimed that there would be no politicians in the Jubilee administration's first cabinet.
The idea was to avoid the mistakes of previous governments and appoint professionals who could bring fresh impetus to the government and help deliver on the Jubilee's Administration's ambitious manifesto.
Although former President Kenyatta later nominated influential politicians like former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and former Mvita MP Najib Balala to the cabinet. All the same, it was lauded as the beginning of a new era in some quarters.
However, a few years into the Jubilee Administration's reign, the technocrat experiment delivered underwhelming results. It became increasingly evident that appointing people with technical knowledge did not guarantee success.
The former regime abandoned the technocrat approach after winning the 2017 election, as elected politicians from the ruling party claimed that technocrats lacked the political charisma to connect with the electorate.
When President Ruto assumed office, he reverted to the basics, and virtually every member of his cabinet was a politician or people who played a key role in his campaign.
A minority report by a Vetting Committee of the National Assembly on October 26, 2022, expressed concerns over the calibre of nominees that President William Ruto had put forward for approval.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Chairman John Mbadi dismissed any possibility of Ruto's cabinet delivering on its mandate, accusing the President of nominating people for political expedience rather than selecting professionals.
Fast forward to the present, even President Ruto himself has questioned whether members of his executive have what it takes to deliver on the Kenya Kwanza agenda.
On Tuesday, August 1, the Head of State locked out some Cabinet Secretaries from State House after they showed up late to the performance contracts signing event at State House, Nairobi. Ruto even accused some members of his executive of being clueless in their dockets.
"The moment I know more than you know about your ministry, there is a problem. Explain to me how you will advise me if you have less information than I do. I call many PSs and ask them what is going on here and they have no clue," a visibly agitated Ruto stated while making a live address to the nation.
"For those who came late, who are members of the Executive. I will be expecting a written explanation from you. The traffic claims don't add up. If you cannot keep time with your employer you have basically dismissed yourself," Ruto further warned his cabinet members.
One day later, Moses Wetang'ula, the National Assembly leader, took on Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi for giving ambiguous responses and lacking a strong understanding of matters within his ministry during an intense questioning session by MPs.
Conversely, several of Ruto's Cabinet Secretaries have come under intense scrutiny for operating outside their mandate and making high-profile blunders that have embarrassed both the Kenya Kwanza regime and the Kenyan government.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at the most high-profile blunders made by Ruto's cabinet secretaries.
1. Trade CS Moses on Sudan Conflict
Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on Monday, May 15, came under fierce criticism from Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing'Oei after claiming that the easiest way to restore peace and tranquility in Sudan was through a military invasion that will culminate into a power takeover.
Kuria claimed that a military incursion would culminate into a possible peaceful breakthrough that would ensure that the power is handed over back to the Sudanese civilians through a democratic process.
"The Sudan lesson is simple. The community of nations should militarily invade any country where armies overthrow the government.
"Appeasement does not pay off. Military juntas do not become democrats simply because of the false principle of non-interference. The AU can marshall a strong enough army to blow up Khartoum to smithereens," Kuria claimed at the time.
However, PS Sing'Oei rebuked him, noting that, Moses Kuria's comments were his own and did not in any way reflect Kenya's position over the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
"The personal views expressed by Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria do not represent government policy on this complex and challenging issue. We continue to work with all parties toward a peaceful resolution of the Sudan crisis," Sing'Oei clarified.
2. Trade CS Moses Kuria on Chinese Traders
Kuria and Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing'Oei once again locked horns on Sunday, February 26, over Uni City Mall after the Cabinet Secretary claimed that the mall's investor, a Chinese national, was engaging in unfair competition against local traders.
Kuria questioned how the investor was awarded a work permit to operate in the country, stating that he should have been enlisted as a manufacturer and not as a trader.
Sing'Oei told Cheng not to be concerned about the CS's remarks indicating that the government planned to buy out his lease at the Uni City Mall and hand it over to local traders.
He assured the Chinese investor that provided that he acquired the licenses legally, then there was no cause for alarm.
"No lawful investment actor - irrespective of their nationality - should be apprehensive because the country's investment regime is non-arbitrary and non-discriminatory," the PS stated.
3. CS Jumwa Lifting Ban on Disco Matanga
Public Service Cabinet Secretary, Aisha Jumwa, on Friday, November 25, lifted a ban that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i had imposed on disco matanga.
Despite the responsibility falling under the Ministry of Interior's jurisdiction, CS Jumwa assumed control and attributed the rise of immorality across the entire country to poor parenting.
“As a parent, you should always know where your child is. When the child leaves home for these functions, where is the parent?
"Do not abscond your duties and allow your child to roam around then you blame disco matanga. The solution is to apprehend a few parents and charge them,” she added.
She, however, asked the police to ensure that under 18's were prohibited from attending the functions.
According to Jumwa, the ban on disco matanga had negatively impacted the businesspersons in the entertainment sector.
“We promised to uplift small businesses and not kill them. The ban has deprived many people of their livelihoods. Hence I lift the ban on disco matanga," Jumwa declared.
4. CS Nakhumincha Transfering OCS
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on Saturday, 29 July, issued an order purporting to transfer Matisi OCS John Thuo despite that responsibility not falling under her purview.
Nakhumicha claimed that she had the powers to effect the change citing President William Ruto's ‘one-government approach designed to enhance coordination across government.
"We don't require Interior CS (Kithure) Kindiki to be here so that an OCS can be transferred. I am in Ruto's government and I stand here as his representative, so I order that the county commander to listen and if he's not here, let the information reach him, I have said that in 24 hours, the OCS needs to have been transferred," she stated.
Analysts share the same concerns as Kenyans regarding the competence of Ruto's cabinet.
Xavier Ouma, a Lecturer and Political Analyst, expressed his views in an interview with Kenyans.co.ke, stating that the Head of State must take charge and rein in his Cabinet Secretaries to restore order and confidence in his government.
According to Xavier, the majority of Kenyans anticipated the failure of Ruto's cabinet as it seemed that the nominees were chosen more for their political allegiances rather than their competence.
Despite these concerns, Members of Parliament proceeded to approve all nominees.
"The President cannot blame them entirely since, naturally, people can only perform to the best of their ability. Maybe, it is time President Ruto cracked the whip so as to bring order," Xavier explained.
