A day after President William Ruto fired his cabinet as a sign of concession following a wave of protests, comedian Eric Omondi wants the head of state to appoint an ordinary Kenyan, such as a mama mboga or a boda boda, to his cabinet.
Speaking to the media, Omondi praised Ruto’s decision to disband his cabinet, saying it showed the president was now listening to the people’s will.
“I think the president has stopped listening to his people and started listening to the people and from his side that’s a great move,” Omondi said.
He then challenged Ruto to fulfill one of his campaign promises – to have a “mama mboga government” by appointing at least one mama mboga or boda boda to a cabinet or principal secretary position.
“I want to challenge the president to make history now that he has the chance to do so, he has fired his cabinet, and now the next move will determine a lot of things,” said Eric.
Ruto Urged to Fulfill His Campaign Promise
Omondi emphasized that such an appointment would be a significant gesture, showing Ruto’s willingness to lift ordinary Kenyans out of poverty.
Also Read: Eric Omondi Dragged into Burial Standoff of Boy Killed in Rongai During Anti-Ruto Protests
“If the president can appoint one mama mboga, one boda boda because these boda boda you see here…two out of five of them are graduates, some with even first-class honors,” Omondi said.
He noted that there were many qualified individuals from distinguished institutions, doing menial jobs who the president should consider for the now vacant positions.
“I personally know some of them right here in Gikomba who went to Kenyatta University (KU) and even University of Nairobi (UoN).”
“The president can show good will and I would highly recommend that he appoints even if it’s one mama mboga to the positions of Cabinet Secretary (CS) or Permanent Secretary (PS).”
Eric Omondi Challenges Ruto to Break the Trend
The comedian noted that past administrations had often rewarded their political allies and cronies with the top government positions.
He expressed hope that Ruto would break this trend and make history by elevating an unknown graduate or professional from a humble background.
“It has always been about rewarding your cronies and those with your political affiliations, Kibaki never did it, Uhuru never did it,”
“Ruto might go down in history as the only president in Africa who picked an unknown graduate or professional from a lowly standing and made them a CS or PS,” Omondi said.
Ruto Dissolves the Cabinet
The comedian’s appeal came after President Ruto’s decision on July 11 to dissolve his cabinet, which he described as a crucial step towards the transformation of Kenya.
“I am acutely aware that the people of Kenya have high expectations of me and believe that this administration can undertake the most extensive transformation in our nation’s history.“
Also Read: Goodbye Ruto: Ex-CSs Share Exit Messages After Being Fired
“Upon reflection, listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have said and after a holistic appraisal of the performance of my Cabinet and its achievements and challenges, I have, in line with the powers given to me by the Constitution and Section 12 of the Office of the Attorney-General Act, decided to dismiss with immediate effect all the Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney-General from the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya except the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,” he said.
Additionally, the president noted that during this period, government operations would continue uninterrupted under the guidance of Principal Secretaries and other relevant officials.
He also said that he would engage in consultations across different sectors and political formations with the aim of setting up a broad-based government.
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