Hours after chasing former Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa out of his cabinet, President Uhuru Kenyatta is already in trouble.
A number of political leaders drawn from Western Kenya have since come out to express their displeasure.
They have accused Uhuru of ungratefulness after heavily relying on the Western Kenya vote in his 2017 reelection.
Led by Mumias East lawmaker Benjamin Washiali, the leaders said that the move demonstrates that the president doesn't value the region.
Speaking imemdiately after the announcement, they narrated how Echesa took it upon himself to help sell the Jubilee agenda in the opposition bedrock, handing Uhuru victory.
"it was tough selling the Jubilee agenda in Western. Mr Echesa was among people who went out of their way to propagate Jubilee and create in-routes for Mr Kenyatta to access the region," Washiali was quoted by the Nation.
He cautioned the president of a possible retaliation from Echesa's supporters in the coming days, adding that the latter controls and national constituency which might not take his humiliation lying down.
"He (Mr Echesa) has his own people and commands a large following, not only in western but also across the country. I know these people will make their own decisions," added the National Assembly Majority Whip.
His remarks were echoed by Kakamega Senator Cleopa Malala and Matungu MP Justus Murunga.
Until his ouster, Echesa and Malala were sworn political enemies who repeatedly traded verbal attacks publicly.
But Murunga noted that Uhuru should not be demonized for making the move as the region never told him to appoint Echesa to cabinet.