Nine cabinet secretaries inside President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration are set to throw their hats in the political ring, either as direct participants or supporting their preferred candidate, with an intention of getting an appointment in government.
Some of the senior names in government who have openly associated with Mr. Odinga’s 2022 bid are Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, his Environment counterpart Keriako Tobiko, John Munyes (Petroleum), Treasury’s Ukur Yatani and Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution), who have accompanied the former prime minister to a number of political activities.
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Others who are perceived to be close to President Uhuru Kenyatta and are expected to join Mr. Odinga’s train are Mutahi Kagwe (Health), Peter Munya (Agriculture), Joe Mucheru of ICT, as well as Raphael Tuju.
CS Peter Munya is currently leading his Party of National Unity (PNU) into coalition talks with Raila’s ODM and it is expected the two parties will be part of anew coalition whose flag will be flown by the former prime minister.
On the other hand, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe is expected to take over the leadership of Narc party, currently chaired by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, a staunch supporter of Raila Odinga.
Last weekend at his Isinya home, Interior CS Dr Fred Matiangi met a host of Gusii MPs led by Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache MP), Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira Senator), Ben Momanyi (Borabu MP), Chris Obure (CAS Roads), Simba Arati (Dagoretti North MP), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West MP) and a host of Gusii professionals.
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”The community cannot afford to lose sight of President Uhuru and Raila. We will not join a political outfit that doesn’t guarantee our community political stability. None of us is a beggar. We need strategy. Several communities have been meeting; I wonder why some people are nervous about us meeting. This time we have to remain firm. Our only weakness is the missing link in our unity bid,” Dr. Matiangi said during the meeting.
