Transport CS James Macharia.[Photo/Nation]
When President Uhuru Kenyatta named his partial Cabinet 10 days ago, it wasn’t certain Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia would be part of the retained team of Cabinet Secretaries considering the many incidents of road accidents and a crippling strike when he was Health CS.
Those in government and in the transport sector were very optimistic that Macharia would make a comeback to the Cabinet stating that his previous achievements particularly the role he played in the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway.
Matatu Association Chairman Simon Kimutai while expressing confidence towards Macharia’s reappointment believes that Macharia will be able to restore sanity in the transport sector adding that Kenyans should be patient with him and let him to work.
“I am very confident that the minister will be able to execute his role with the seriousness it demands and in my own assessment the President was right in retaining him in his Cabinet. Given time, I strongly believe that Macharia will be able to do what he knows best,” said Kimutai.
Kimutai who seemed to spare the CS any blame of not managing to curb the rising cases of road accidents in the country said the CS was not entirely to blame for the carnage.
“Macharia is very consistent in what he does and with time his efforts will be seen by the public. He always tries to gather different stakeholders in the sector and have discussions with them on how the sector can be improved,” said Kimutai.
The road accidents that claimed hundreds of lives occurred during last year’s festivities with many questioning what the CS was doing to avert the situation.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and a member of the Senate Roads and Transport Committee mentions that Macharia should not have been retained as a minister saying that he does not fulfill the professional touch in the manner in which he handles affairs at the ministry.
“His casual approach to issues is so worrying and begins to raise question about his capacity to deal with matters transport,” said Wambua.
Wambua also stated that all the other retained Cabinet Secretaries should undergo fresh vetting and keen to see him not hold the office, Wambua says that he would rally his colleagues to ensure that Macharia does not retain his seat.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale is of the opinion that the retained ministers should not be vetted afresh stating that the President has the power to reassign a Cabinet secretary whom in turn do not need to take fresh oaths.
National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi is however of the view that those retained must be subjected to scrutiny by Parliament.
President Kenyatta retained six Cabinet secretaries from his first term and named three fresh ones, who have to be approved by lawmakers before they are formally appointed.
All eyes will now be focused on Macharia who was once highly criticized during his tenure at the Health Ministry with many anticipating that he will be able to clean out the rot and corruption in the transport sector.