- The President had strategically selected his loyalists and ex-opposition bigwigs from key regions.
- With less positions remaining to be filled, the President faces a new political dilemma.
Image: PCS
The court ruling that found the office of the Chief Administrative Secretary unconstitutional could throw President William Ruto's 2027 reelection game plan into disarray.
Politicians and analysts who have weighed in on the implications of the High Court ruling argue that the decision will throw President Ruto's strategists back to the drawing board.
The President had picked 50 CASs in what was seen as part of his elaborate political strategy to craft a dependable team of his 2027 campaigners across the country.
Most of his political loyalists landed the positions and were swiftly sworn into office at State House alongside a list of carefully selected Kenya Kwanza honchos from opposition turfs.
The CAS officers, who largely included former political losers in the 2022 general election, were expected to be crucial in consolidating Ruto's administration and penetrating rival territories.
On Wednesday, ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire admitted that the move has thrown President Ruto's 2027 strategists off balance and could radically change the initial plans.
''The positions were illegal ab initio and his plans to rely on them as a 2027 political mobilisation tool have hit a cropper,'' Bosire told the Star.
The former Kitutu Masaba MP said the President will now be forced to change his strategy and even review his other impending appointments to accommodate the lineup of CAS rejects.
''But the number is too huge after all and may pose another massive political headache to the President given the few opportunities that are remaining,'' he said.
''Automatically they are jobless.''
The President had strategically crafted the CAS list to include former allies of opposition chief Raila Odinga as he moved to appease regions that did not vote for him in the 2022 polls.
Others were rewarded for their loyalty and consistency in supporting the Kenya Kwanza camp despite a ruthless political onslaught against them during the reign of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Political analyst Alexander Nyamboga told the Star that the move by the court to declare the positions illegal dealt Ruto a massive political blow.
He argued that the President's camp 'might not have seen the landmark court ruling coming or they underestimated the case.''
''No other person has been hit hard by the ruling more than the President considering that he had assembled an army of his 2027 campaigners across the country,'' Nyamboga said.
The university don noted that the President will be forced to review his list planned for other appointments to ensure the inclusion of interests that directly affect the rejected CAS officers.
In his list were key political bigwigs from Raila's Luo Nyanza backyard including former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, ex MPs Fred Outa and Nicholas Gumbo.
It is understood that the three, influential politicians in their own right, would help Ruto penetrate Luo Nyanza with the help of ICT CS Eliud Owalo and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
Former Migori County Assembly minority leader Nicholas Rioba was picked to represent the Kuria region as the President moved to address concerns of marginalisation after his list of CSs and PSs triggered an uproar.
In the Gusii region where the President is keen to bolster his fortunes, Ruto had picked retired Kisii deputy governor Joash Maangi and ex-West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi.
To tame Raila's Azimio in Ukambani and manage perceived regional kingpin Kalonzo Musyoka, Ruto picked two from the region including ex-Machakos MP Victor Munyaka and James Mbaluka.
In a delicate balancing act to firm up his foothold in Western Kenya Ruto had picked a number of politicians from the region for the CAS posts.
For instance, in Bungoma, Ruto picked former UDA woman representative aspirant Charity Nancy Kibaba as the CAS in the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action.
Ex-Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali was nominated for CAS Ministry of Roads and Transport.
Former Vihiga UDA woman representative aspirant Jackline Mwenesi Lukalo was picked as CAS in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Ford Kenya secretary general Chris Wamalwa was also nominated as the CAS Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation.
Edwin Wandabusi was picked as CAS in the Office of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Unless the court decision is successfully challenged at the Court of Appeal, the CAS nominees would become jobless, adding to the long list of Kenya Kwanza bigwigs angling for jobs.
The development now poses a new political headache for the President who is already under pressure from opposition leaders for rewarding a few tribes at the expense of other regions.