President Uhuru Kenyatta during his swearing-in function. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
President Uhuru Kenyatta has planned a retreat to name his new cabinet after he was sworn in for the second term.
With DP Ruto eyeing to rise to presidency in 2022, the new cabinet is set to seek regional balance as well as rewarding top loyalists to hold a grip on Jubilee strongholds.
Jubilee strategists argue that the changes must win political goodwill from the country and ensure a lot is achieved in the limited time in Uhuru's last term.
It is said that the president aims at balancing politicians and professionals in the new team that will increase from the current 19 to 22 members.
Although there are many candidates seeking the president's eye while few ministerial posts exist, Uhuru might resort to steadily increasing the number of Permanent Secretaries as there is no constitutional grounds limiting this number.
More than half of the current PSs are set to go home with the Public Service Commission already shortlisting 120 candidates for office in the new era.
Will the president prioritise loyalists over professionals?
Should regional balance dominate over experience?
That is the president's headache.