A major shakeup is underway to alter Kenya's political and security landscape.
The Executive of Kenya, which includes the President and his Cabinet Secretaries, is making massive alterations in government.
Significant positions in the ministries have changed. As of this writing Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries (civil servants who act as the Cabinet Secretaries right hands) affected in the government shake-up are the following:
Secretary to the Cabinet, Francis Kimemia has been removed and replaced by Monica Juma. The Ministry of Water and Irrigation has been created and Eugene Wamalwa appointed as Cabinet Secretary.
Cabinet Secretaries suspended facing allegations and investigations into corruption include:
Cabinet Secretary of Land, Housing & Urban Development – Charity Ngilu.
Cabinet Secretary of Transport and Infrastructure – Michael Kamau.
Cabinet Secretary of Labour, Social Security and Services – Kazungi Kambi.
Cabinet Secretary of Energy and Petroleum – Davis Chirchir
Cabinet Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries – Felix Koskei.
Appointments of Principal Secretaries include:
Secretary of Delivery – Nzoika Waita, formerly Director of Corporate Affairs at Safaricom.
Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government – Major General (Rtd.) Gordon Kihalangwa.
Principal Secretaries suspended facing allegations and investigations into corruption include:
Secretary for Transport – Nduva Muli
Secretary for Defence – Mutea Iringo
Secretary for Mining – Patrick Omnita
Secretary for Water – James Teko
Other notable retirements and appointments include the retirement of General Julius Karangi who will be replaced by General Samson J Mwathethe. Although not yet official, it is believed that in his retirement General Julius Karangi may become a special security advisor to the President.
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| President Uhuru Kenyatta |
Warrior Insight expert analysts report that while President Uhuru Kenyatta may have taken the opportunity to replace, perceived, unsatisfactory performers within his cabinet, there is also an element of advanced political posturing in anticipation of 2017 elections.
This analysis includes the appointment of Eugene Wamalwa to the newly created Ministry of Water and Irrigation portfolio, as Wamalwa is from western Kenya, which is an opposition stronghold.
Another notable development is the removal of Cabinet Secretary Francis Kimemia, a stalwart from the era of former President Mwai Kibaki. Kimemia had, by most accounts, remained in position to assist in the transition from one executive to another. In some circles this is seen as a defining moment for the current government as it moves to assert its own political identity outside of the former regime. It should be noted that Kimemia made comments earlier this week about the government’s “inexperience” managing Kenya’s security.
Kenya’s private sector experience is also represented in the new cabinet with the appointment of Safaricom Director of Corporate Affairs Nzioka Waita as Secretary of Delivery. This represents the government’s desire to replicate Kenya’s economic success in the private sector. Kenya’s economy is currently experiencing 6% growth.
Regarding security, the appointment of Major General (Rtd.) Gordon Kihalangwa as Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Interior of Coordination of National Government bolsters this key ministry, in which the Cabinet Secretary is also a retired Major General. This also reflects the makeup of the National Security Council whose membership is also heavily weighted with ex-military personnel.
It remains uncertain whether President Kenyatta’s move to mesh elements of the military with the executive will translate into the creation and execution of an effective counter-terrorism strategy for Kenya. Historically, successful counter-terrorism strategies utilise a combined civil-political approach, as opposed to a singular military minded method.