As he moves to solidify his leadership with his eyes set on the 2027 General Election, President William Ruto is this week expected to carve out a strategic path that could see him drop at least four of his Cabinet Secretaries to create room for the appointment of allies of ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The reshuffle in the government could also see at least 14 sitting Principal Secretaries being axed to pave the way for the appointment of individuals perceived to be allies of the former Prime Minister.

The appointments are expected to be made any time between today and Friday, in line with last Friday’s pact between President Ruto and Raila that saw them pen a ten-point agenda aimed at fostering national unity and addressing long-standing governance challenges.

The agreement, which came after years of political rivalry, seeks to implement the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) Report, including the creation of the Office of the Official Opposition Leader and the reinstatement of the Prime Minister’s position.

Already, Ruto’s allies in Kenya Kwanza are working on arrangements to introduce a Bill in Parliament to create the PM position for Raila, although political pundits have warned of the hurdles ahead as the position would require a referendum since it tampers with the country’s governance structure.

Inside government

Speaking at the burial of Kimani Waiyaki at Muthiga village, Uthiru, Kiambu yesterday, Raila dismissed claims that he had joined Ruto’s government, saying it was the latter who approached him.

“These reforms cannot be accomplished without us sitting down to discuss. We must also have our people inside the government to help achieve this,” Raila said in a hint of his allies being appointed to the government.

Some of the issues he said are to be addressed by the ODM and UDA, Raila disclosed, include implementation of the Nadco Report, high cost of living and over-taxation of the people.

“It is Ruto who came to me and asked that we assist them implement some of the thorny issues that have remained pending. We have decided to assist them achieve this, but in 2027, people will have to decide for themselves,” Raila told the mourners.

Sources indicate that Raila is set to secure nearly half of Cabinet positions in a new power-sharing pact, cementing his influence in government, with names of former Cabinet Secretaries Peter Munya and Raphael Tuju and ODM Director of Elections Timothy Bosire being mentioned as likely beneficiaries.

On the other hand, Public Service CS Justin Muturi and his colleagues Eric Muriithi Muuga (Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation and Rebecca Miano (Tourism and Wildlife) are being said to be on their way out of the Cabinet.

Opinion appears divided over the fate of CS Health Dr Deborah Barasa Mulongo, with some sources indicating that she could be replaced at her current docket with her Agriculture and Livestock Development counterpart Mutahi Kagwe who served in the position during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reign.

However other sources indicate that Dr Mulongo may not be shown the door from the Cabinet as she is likely to be moved to a ‘more relaxed’ docket such as the Ministry of Gender that has remained vacant since the National Assembly rejected President Ruto’s nominee Stella Langat Soi last August.

Mulongo has been going through turbulence at Afya House as she tries to address several challenges ranging from the collapsed Social Health Insurance (SHA), consistent health workers’ strike and a corrupt health system.

Sources told the People Daily that President Ruto is concerned that some of his CSs are not performing as expected, with anxiety mounting in the government over the looming shake-up.

It is not clear whether Raila’s efforts to bring on board former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka have borne fruit.

Rewarding allies

Machakos deputy governor, a close ally of Kalonzo, however says their leader has nothing to do with the current camaraderie between President Ruto and Raila.

“The two are only moving to reward their allies while kicking out allies of Gachagua. But they must work on a strategy that can see them regain people’s trust and confidence. I have yet to come across a government that is passionately hated by the people like this Kenya Kwanza one,” says Mwangangi.

Insiders say Ruto wants to have people who can effectively communicate his government’s successes. Equally important, the Head of State is keen to establish a team of mobilisers capable of rallying masses to his corner in the next polls.

Alongside the four slots of CSs, Raila is also scheduled to be rewarded with 14 PS positions. Some of the regions that are likely to benefit from the PS nominees include Maa areas, Bondo, Migori, Busia, Kisii, Kakamega, Coast and North Eastern.

A source in ODM told the People Daily that Raila has implored on Ruto to ensure that areas which have been his strongholds benefit immensely if he expects to retain them as his voting bloc in 2027.

Last month, the Public Service Commission submitted to the president a list of successful candidates from the recently-concluded interviews for PSs, signalling possible changes in his administration.

The anticipated reshuffle has triggered anxiety, especially among PSs perceived to be allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Those accused of underperformance are also at risk of being dropped as President Ruto seeks to bring in new allies, including those linked to opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Some of the interviewed candidates were reportedly invited to apply for the positions. Among the 109 applicants were former Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu and ex-MPs Wilson Sossion, Abdullahi Diriye, Fatuma Ibrahim Ali, Andrew Toboso, and Ahmed Ibrahim.

Political weight

Muturi’s exit from Cabinet has been on the cards since his alleged fallout with Ruto over abductions, which he blamed on the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Munya is being proposed to replace Mugaa on grounds that he carries some political weight that he can use to change the tide in Meru region as well as some parts of Central Kenya.

“If you have been keen enough on the recent appointments, politicians are being recycled to replace technocrats because of their ability to sell government policies,” says Mwangangi.

On the other hand, Bosire, who early this year turned down an appointment as the chairperson of the National Transport Authority (NTSA) is said to have the capacity to contain the growing influence of former powerful Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i and former Chief Justice David Maraga in Gusii region.

Tuju’s possible return to the Cabinet could be through the efforts of Raila.