Former Karachuonyo MP James Rege addressing journalists at a past event. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
As President Uhuru Kenyatta left the nation guessing on who will make it to the final list of his new Cabinet, there were a few names that were widely expected to make the cut.However, as the President named his 'Big Four' delivery team on Friday, some of the names were conspicuously missing.Many expected former Karachuonyo MP James Rege to be appointed to Uhuru’s new government.However, he never made it for a Cabinet Secretary position, not even the newly-created Chief Administrative Secretary slot.The veteran politician sacrificed his own political ambitions to campaign for President Uhuru Kenyatta in the pro-opposition Nyanza region, which is NASA leader Raila Odinga's political base.Rege who served Karachuonyo in Parliament for two terms was the face of Jubilee in the region in the run to the August 8 poll and the October 26 repeat presidential election. His political stance alone was suicidal as he came under physical attacks from hostile crowds.
On October 27, 2017, a group of youth attempted to raze down his home in Pala village over claims that he was hiding ballot papers marked in President Uhuru Kenyatta's favour.
He was seen by many in the region as a traitor.
After failing to make it to Uhuru’s Cabinet, it remains unclear on what the future holds for the George Washington University-trained Electrical Engineer.