A day after President Uhuru Kenyatta reshuffled his cabinet, a section of leaders from Kisii County have expressed dissatisfaction with the new appointments, accusing the president of neglecting the region.
Speaking at a function in Ogembo on Wednesday, Mr Henry Moracha, the Kisii County Assembly Majority Whip, Mr Evans Siko (Sameta MCA) and Koina Onyancha (Chitago-Borabu MCA) said the president failed to reflect the face of Kenya in the new appointments.
Moracha said they were expecting a new appointment from the region, hoping CIC Chairman Mr Charles Nyachae would be appointed a CS.
“Personally I think the President has neglected the region because we used to have two or so Cabinet Secretaries in previous regimes. I particularly expected Mr Charles Nyachae to join the cabinet now that his term is almost ending as CIC chair and he has shown exemplary leadership in defending constitution and devolution,” he said.
Mr Onyancha said he was saddened that the president could replace ministers who had stepped aside or resigned by people from the same region.
“To be sincere, Central Kenya and Rift Valley took the biggest chunk of the posts. I expected that the President could use the replacements to award communities that missed a senior appointment in previous selections,” he said.
Siko on his part said the devolution docket was likely to be embroiled in scandals since the new appointee had previously been tried and tested.
“Kiunjuri isn’t a new face in Kenya. I remember his battles at the water Ministry during the grand coalition government. This was an opportune time for Kisii County to be rewarded with appointment of Mr Nyachae because he has shown will and ability to defend devolution in the country,” he said.