The name of Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, a man who has never shied away from controversy has been on the lips of Kenyans lately.
Known for trending for both good and wrong reasons, Kuria has made constant appearance in Kenya’s media.
In the latest exchange, the CS came under fire after his remarks insinuating that some senators were out to ensure that Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza was impeached.
His statement sparked criticism from Senators who called him out for disregarding the then ongoing proceedings in the House regarding the proposed impeachment.
The senators even called upon members of parliament to impeach Kuria and described his actions ass an embarrassment. This was, however, not the first Kuria’s actions or sentiments raised questions about his suitability to serve in the cabinet.
Nevertheless, President William Ruto, who has the powers to appoint and drop members of his cabinet has been reluctant on firing him.
Even when Kuria’s actions saw a visiting diplomat from the United States to decline meeting him, Ruto did not drop the controversial CS from his cabinet.
Instead, he moved him to the Public Service docket when expectations were that he would perhaps have been the first casualty.
Where Moses Kuria draws his confidence
But just what does the President see in Kuria.
The Kenya Times spoke with Dr Jane Thuo, an academician and political analyst.
According to her, the decision to sack Kuria would be difficult to make considering the role he played during the campaigns in the run up to the 2022 polls.
She reiterated that Kuria, having been among the principals in the Kenya Kwanza coalition is aware of his status in the government different from other CSs.
Further, Dr Jane Thuo noted that firing Kuria for his remarks would paint the President as dictatorial and as a man who does not accommodate dissenting opinions.
In addition, the analyst pointed out the risk that would come with the decision of sacking Moses Kuria.
Azimio threat plays factor
Dr Jane in the interview also noted that Kuria has been known to have traditional ties with the opposition and that he had already been seen to building bridges with the Azimio Coalition.
“If he sacks him, he will appear to be dictatorial and not accommodative of dissenting opinions. Lastly, the CS is already building bridges with Azimio, firing him would be a plus to the opposition,” Dr Jane Thuo told The Kenya Times.
Further, the analyst mentioned the political dynamics and mood around Mount Kenya region and in the country in general as a factor in making such a major decision.
She noted that the mood has changed drastically, and that the president could have opted to postpone making drastic changes in his cabinet because in a move aimed at avoiding opening many battlefronts.
“Kuria also is very aware that he has an upper hand in all this. His party is a member of KK and there were terms and conditions for him to join the coalition. The president is hard pressed to honor them,” she stated.
Moses Kuria not afraid of losing position
Appearing in a TV interview on Wednesday, November 8, Kuria asserted that he was not afraid of losing his position in cabinet. In his own words, Kuria stated that he had been out of public service for decades and as such, he saw no big deal in leaving the government.
Kuria, who is described in some quarters as a brilliant mind in matters banking joined elective politics in 2014 when he was elected as Gatundu South Member of Parliament in a by-election.
He clinched the position as a non-opposed candidate, making his entrance into the realm of politics an extraordinary one. Close to a decade later, Kuria found himself at crossroads and appeared not certain on whether to join the Azimio la Umoja coalition or the Kenya Kwanza faction.
Kuria would eventually join the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and unsuccessfully vied for Kiambu’s gubernatorial position on his Chama Cha Kazi Party.
After Ruto took over from former President Uhuru Kenyatta, he entrusted Kuria with the trade docket, which is central in the Kenya Kwanza’s manifesto.
Whilst speculations about Kuria’s longevity in the cabinet are rife, the question on whether Kuria will maintain his place in the cabinet remains a matter of wait and see.
