Revealed: The faces in Ruto's Cabinet

The DP and his inner circle have quietly began identifying people who will be named Cabinet Secretaries and hold other high-ranking portfolios should he win the presidency.

The DP's dream team is hoped to comprise both politicians and select technocrats well versed with his bottom up economic agenda, a key plank of his campaigns.

The selection panel includes running mate Rigathi Gachagua, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale and MPs Ndindi Nyoro and Alice Wahome.

While Ruto has avoided publicly dropping hints about his preferred Cabinet choices, he has, however, made it clear that half of the slots in the Cabinet (maximum 22) will be reserved for highly qualified women.

He has also promised to blend his Cabinet with the youth whom he has promised a fully-fledged ministry that will steer their affairs.

Information gleaned from some of Ruto's allies and strategists gave an outline of the possible Cabinet, with key regional pillars of his hustler nation agenda topping the list.

Those high on the list include running mate runners up and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki who could succeed Kihara Kariuki as the country's next Attorney General.

As part of his power-sharing deal in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, Ruto promised Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi the Chief Minister and CS for Finance.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi is also earmarked for a Cabinet slot.

Ruto's head of presidential campaigns, Josphat Nanok, and Ababu Namwamba, who leads the DP's international relations wing, will also make their way to the Cabinet.

Namwamba is tipped to be CS for Foreign Affairs, while the Turkana governor could be handed the powerful Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority docket.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and his Machakos counterpart Alfred Mutua, both of whom are completing their second terms, are also expected to fly ministerial flags.

Also being considered is economist David Ndii. 

On Tuesday, Mutua one of Ruto's presumptive Cabinet nominees, termed the DPs' dream team a "well-oiled soccer team".

“A Ruto government, especially the Cabinet and PSs, will look like a well-oiled soccer team that not only represents the face of Kenya but also is skill-based. It will be required to rescue Kenya from the current pains and take the country to the next level,” Mutua said.

The governor added, “It will not be just about wakubwa kupewa viti (bigwigs getting seats) but capable people who can work unsupervised, keep to the development script and deliver.”

Mutua has previously claimed he was promised the Deputy Chief Minister position with a ministerial portfolio in Infrastructure Development.

By-elections beckon in some constituencies where Ruto's allies earmarked for the Cabinet are running.

Those in the list of possible picks who would be elected as MPs will resign from Parliament to take up Cabinet appointments.

Some of those in Ruto's Cabinet plans are politicians running for office while others withdrew their personal plans to concentrate on the Kenya Kwanza presidential campaigns.

Kirinyaga's Anne Waiguru, who is facing a formidable challenge in defending her seat from county Woman Representative Purity Ngirici, would get a ministerial portfolio if she loses the seat.

By-elections are likely to be held in Duale's Garissa Township and Kiharu of Ndindi Nyoro to pave the way for their Cabinet appointments should Ruto win.

It would be the same scenario in Kandara where MP Alice Wahome, who is defending her seat, would also be tapped for the Cabinet.

Both Nyoro and Wahome made it to the final shortlist of Ruto's possible running mates but where edged out by Gachagua in a protracted and acrimonious process.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah, another member of Ruto's inner circle, is tipped to take over the powerful position of National Assembly Leader of Majority to spearhead the legislative wing.

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula of Ford Kenya is set to become the Speaker of the National Assembly while Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi will take over as Senate Speaker.

Also being touted as the possible Cabinet Secretaries are Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, Migori Governor Okoth Obado and former chairman of the Commission for Implementation of the Constitution Charles Nyachae.

Washiali dropped his ambitions to defend his seat to concentrate on Ruto's presidential campaigns.

Migori Governor Okoth Obado is expected to be named CS as is Davis Chirchir, the DP's Chief of Staff.

Former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar has also been touted as a possible pick should he fail to clinch the Mombasa governor where he is facing stiff competition from ODM’s Abdulswamad Nassir.

Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko, who lost the UDA Kajiado governor nominations to Kajiado West's Katoo Ole Metito, would also join the Cabinet as Ruto seeks to fulfil his promise to women.

UDA party secretary general Veronica Maina, a key pillar of Ruto's team, is also set to be named CS.

Prof Edward Kisiang'ani, a key member of the Ruto strategy team, when contacted for a comment, said the choices would reflect the face of Kenya. He said no discussion of possible Cabinet picks was underway. 

“He will choose mainly people who believe in the bottom up approach and is not going to discriminate against any Kenyan,” Prof Kisiang'ani added.

While indicating that no names have been decided, Kisiang'ani said those speculating that Ruto’s Cabinet will comprise largely of people from his Kalenjin tribe would be shocked.

However, like his main rival and Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga, Ruto faces a delicate balancing act to ensure the nominees represent the face of the country.

He also faces the dilemma of satisfying competing interests among his allies jostling for top positions in government.

During the introduction of Gachagua as his running mate on May 15, Ruto said nearly half of his Cabinet will go to women.

“Ten out of 21 Cabinet Secretaries in the Kenya Kwanza government will be women."

(Edited by V. Graham)

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