President Uhuru Kenyatta could be forced to make a cabinet mini reshuffle following arresting and charging of Treasury CS Henry Rotich on Monday.
In April this year, President Uhuru warned that the war against corruption would be fought within confines of the law, adding that those prosecuted should step aside.
Following Rotich's decision to take a plea by denying charges, Uhuru may be forced to kick him out should he fail to step aside or resign.
“I must, however, caution that the pursuit of the corrupt will be undertaken strictly within the remits of the law – and not through vigilante justice and pitchfork protest. Though media narratives rally our resolve as they should, our actions will not be based on condemnation before one has been heard. The cornerstone of our democracy is the rule of law, and the principle of due process is a critical anchor."
He added, “It is not enough to merely jail and fine those who have looted our public coffers. The wealth they stole from Kenyans must be returned to its owners, the People of Kenya with the clear message being that Corruption does not pay”.
On Tuesday, defense lawyer Kioko Kilukumi argued that Rotich had cooperated with investigators and that he was ready to so. He was later released on Sh15 million cash bail.
"He has done everything that a suspect can do to help the investigators," he said.
Should Uhuru decide to appoint someone in acting capacity, EAC minister Adan Mohamed, a former banker, is at pole position to take over. Transport CS James Macharia also has banking background
According to the Nation, Other names being bandied around include that of Ms Ruth Kagia, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Policy and Strategy) in the Presidency, whose experience at the World Bank is touted as her main qualification. Ms Kagia spent 20 years at the World Bank, rising to the bank’s Director of Education position between 2002 and 2008.
She later became the Country Director for Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho as well as Mauritius and Madagascar).
Others yet think that the President might reach out for a trusted and safe pair of hands in the shape of Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, a career financial manager who served at Treasury and Central Bank for many years.
Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, former Cabinet secretary and currently the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, is seen as having a future in Jubilee, but it is not clear whether the Finance portfolio would be entrusted to him, or whether he would be brought in as a relief for another CS who then gets promoted to Treasury.
Transport PS Esther Koimet, a daughter to former powerful minister Nicholas Biwott, is also tipped to be a possible replacement. Reports indicate that Uhuru held a meeting with Rotich at State House on Wednesday.