President Uhuru Kenyatta made a series of appointments in 2019 in a bid to ensure better service delivery. Some of these appointments, however, did not augur well with a section of Kenyans. Kenyans took to social media to express their discontentment after Uhuru's moves. The appointment of the old guards saw Starehe MP Charles Jaguar table bill seeking to lower the retirement age from 60 to 50.
"Noting the mandatory retirement age for public servants is set at 60 years, this House urges the government to review mandatory retirement age in public service from current 60 to 50 years," reads the motion. Some of the appointments that sparked controversy include but not limited to the following.
1. Former Othaya MP Mary Wambui
The appointment of former Othaya MP Mary Wambui to head the National Employment Authority was met with resistance from all political factions. Kenyans wondered why Uhuru decided to go for Wambui when we have many youthful job seekers. Senator Johnson Sakaja moved to court to oppose the appointment.
2. Francis Muthaura to KRA
In October 21, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta re-appointed, 72-year-old Muthaura Francis as Kenya Revenue Authority board chairman for a three-year term. Kenyans questioned why the head of state decided to give retirees jobs at the expense of the youthful Kenyans. Uhuru, however, ignored the plight of Kenyans are retained him in office.
3. South Korea envoy Mwende Mwinzi
The appointment of Mwende Mwinzi as the South Korean envoy was yet another talking point. Mwinzi is a Kenya-American. Members of Parliament wanted her to renounce American citizenship and she was blocked from office until further notice. The court later ruled in her favour in the dual citizenship case.