For the past month, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has lacked a permanent Cabinet Secretary, following the nomination and subsequent approval of Prof. Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is currently the acting Interior CS.
Amidst this gap, there has been much speculation and discussion in political circles regarding who President William Ruto may nominate to fill the influential role.
Ruto is a man under pressure to fill the critical Interior CS slot, with a section of leaders pressuring the Head of State to appoint a person from the Mt Kenya region amidst a mounting demand by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for the same position.
In this article, The Kenya Times presents a compilation of potential candidates who could be considered for the position.
Interior CS potential candidates
Mutahi Kagwe
Among the names under consideration is former Health CS Mutahi Kagwe. The return of Kagwe who served in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Cabinet seems to be more imminent than before.
This is after elders from the Kikuyu Community having gathered in Nyeri on Friday, November 22 unanimously expressed support for Mutahi Kagwe’s inclusion in President Ruto’s government.
The elders while noting the absence of a cabinet minister from the region emphasized the importance of representation of Nyeri in the Kenya Kwanza administration and urged Kagwe to accept a proposed Cabinet position in the government.
They asked Ruto to consider Kagwe for the CS position in the Ministry of Interior while expressing confidence in the former CS’s leadership capabilities, stating that “he has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, integrity, and dedication to public service”.
Also Read: Mutahi Kagwe Explains How Ruto’s Finance Bill Mind Game Failed
Further, the elders deliberated on the current political landscape and the economic challenges facing the country.
Kagwe is one of the experienced leaders in the public service having served as a member of the Cabinet in the governments of Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kimani Ichung’wah
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has also been mentioned as angling for the top job. Ichung’wah is one of the closest allies of President Ruto.
The Kikuyu Member of Parliament (MP) sided with Ruto during Jubilee’s second term when former President Uhuru sidelined the faction supporting his then-deputy.
He was one of the fierce critics of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who was endorsed by Uhuru for the 2022 presidential seat.
Although Uhuru was regarded as Mt. Kenya’s spokesperson, Ichung’wah was among the leaders from the region who opposed his choice.
This has seen Ichung’wah rise to become one of the most powerful politicians in the Kenya Kwanza faction with direct access to President Ruto.
However, speaking on Monday, October 21, Ichung’wah dismissed the reports, stating that he already has a job as the representative of Kikuyu Constituency residents in the National Assembly.
“I’ve heard there’s a lot of talk, and even a leader spoke here saying I should be appointed as the CS for Interior. But I want to tell that leader that I already have a job, and I don’t want people to be confused,” Ichung’wah said.
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“I have a job given to me by the people of Kikuyu, and the MPs also gave me another role as their leader in the National Assembly.”
Also Read: Junet Breaks Silence on Replacing Kindiki as Interior CS
Nderitu Muriithi
Former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi is among the least expected nominees to feature in the list even though sources indicate that he is also rumoured to be among those on the list for a possible stint at the Harambee-based office.
Muriithi is an economist and financial markets expert with over 24 years of experience in leadership and management in Kenya, South Africa, Canada and Australia
The former Laikipia governor went to Kagumo High School in Kiganjo before proceeding to Alliance High School for his A-levels in 1984-85.
He would later go to Canada for his undergraduate at St Francis Xavier University where he studied economics and finance finishing in 1990.
He returned to Kenya in 1991, which would mark the start of working with his uncle the late former President Mwai Kibaki in the Democratic Party.
In January 2003, Muriithi decided to run for office and was elected Laikipia West MP with Kibaki appointing him Industrialization assistant minister.
Muriithi unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2013 and went back to business. He did advisory work for the African Union to create the Africa Audio Visual and Cinema Commission to promote African content. President Kenyatta also appointed him director of the Policy Compensations Fund
In 2017, he vied for governor as an independent candidate and won. Muriithi however lost the Laikipia Governorship to Joshua Irungu in the 2022 General Elections.
Kanini Kega
Also featured in the list is East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Kanini Kega who joins Ndiritu Muriithi as one of the least expected nominees.
Analysts report however that in ensuring regional balance, Ruto could consider a nominee from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua‘s Nyeri home turf.
Other politicians
Apart from these leaders from the Mt Kenya region, some politicians such as CSs Aden Duale, Kipchumba Murkomen and Davis Chirchir, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo Suna East MP have been pushing for to be considered for the role.
Other candidates fronted include Deputy National Security Advisor in the Office of the President Joseph Boinett, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow and Trans Nzoia Governor Goerge Natembeya
As the announcement looms, the political landscape is abuzz with anticipation regarding the potential impact of these appointments on both the Cabinet and the broader political dynamics within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
President Ruto is under immense pressure, especially in regard to filling the vacant powerful position.
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