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Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Ruto’s first 11

President William Ruto is expected to continue receiving mixed reactions after he nominated a first batch of 11 individuals who will form his new cabinet.

What has triggered the conversation is the President’s decision to include the names of six former Cabinet Secretaries in his new cabinet.

The former cabinet secretaries include:

Alice Wahome-Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development
Prof. Kithure Kindiki -Ministry of the Interior and National Administration
Aden Barre Duale – Ministry of Defence
Roselinda Soipan Tuiya -Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
Rebecca Miano – Attorney-General
Davis Chirchir -Ministry of Roads and Transport

“I have started the process of forming a new, broad-based cabinet to assist me in driving the urgently needed and irreversible transformation of our country. I hereby nominate the following first batch of 11 individuals for consideration and approval by the National Assembly for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General,” Ruto remarked.

The nomination is expected to attract reactions from different groups as the firing of all CSs was among the issues that dominated the extended nationwide protests in the country.

In several media interviews, Ruto made it clear that he had listened to the people’s concerns and even went ahead to dismiss the whole cabinet with the exception of Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi.

However, Ruto named new faces to his new cabinet including Debra Mlongo Barasa (Health), Julius Migos Ogamba (Education), Andrew Mwihia Karanja (Agriculture), Eric Muriithi Mugaa (Water) and Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u (ICT).

Reactions to Azimio cracks

Azimio la Umoja has shown clear signs of disintegration with a section of its leaders voicing dissenting views on the ongoing debate on dialogue and broadbased cabinet.

The Azimio faction led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is open to dialogue but with tough conditions. However, the Kalonzo-led Azimio faction is opposed to any interactions and association with the Kenya Kwanza regime.

On Friday, July 19, 2024, Kalonzo made it clear that his side is not interested in joining Ruto’s cabinet adding that the coalition would not support the proposed broad-based government.

“As Azimio constituent parties, the Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM), Jubilee Party, DAP-Kenya Party, Party of National Unity (PNU), and Narc-Kenya reiterate our earlier and unchanged position that we shall not participate in or support the proposed KenyaKwanza-led Broad-Based Government of National Unity,” Kalonzo noted.

Raila’s side on the other side is expected to get some slots in the next batch of cabinet nominees as they boldly supported Ruto’s call for dialogue.

The leaders will continue voicing their opinions throughout the weekend using different forums including at different churches and other gatherings.

Power outage

The planned blackout will affect one county on Saturday, July 20, 2024. In a statement shared on the evening of Friday, July 19, 2024, Kenya Power stated that the blackout is part of network maintenance.

Kenya Power added that the blackout will only affect parts of Nakuru County including the whole of Gilgil Town from 9 am to 3 pm.

Areas that will be affected include; the whole of Gilgil Town, Lange Lange, Teachers, Diatomite, Karura, St Joseph, St Mary’s, Epashikino, Serena, Lemon Valley, Kipkogey, Mbegi, Gema, Soysambu, Marula, Gilgil Toll station and adjacent customers.

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