The recent cabinet reshuffle announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier this week has continued to elicit mixed reactions among the Rift Valley leaders and residents.

Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa

The changes saw former Treasury CS Henry Rotich officially relieved of his duties after being away from the office since last year following an on-going case in court. 

However, the president introduced Betty Maina to take over the industrialization docket. Ms Maina hails from Kericho county which is also the home to Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter.

 Speaking to Nation, KANU party North Rift coordinator Paul Kibet opined that the president should have replaced Henry Rotich whose roots are in Elgeyo Marakwet county with someone from the North Rift region. 

"We expected the Head of State to appoint another CS from the North Rift after the removal of Henry Rotich from the treasury docket," Mr Kibet said. 

On his part, Konoin lawmaker Brighton Yegon is dissatisfied with the fact that Kericho has two cabinet secretaries while his Bomet county was awarded the less lucrative position of a CAS. 

"It is not right to have two CSs from one county. There should be some regional balance in such appointments. Bomet has not had a CS or a PS for years now. We have only been allocated one Chief Administrative Secretary which we know is not as lucrative as the other two,” Mr Yegon argued.

 Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has however approved the president's decision and further expressed his confidence in the new executive team. 

"The President has the prerogative to appoint anyone to the Cabinet. I am sure those appointed are qualified to discharge the duties picked for," Said senator Cherargei.