ODM DREAM CABINET RESHUFFLE

Jukwaa has been somehow lustre especially since Onyango Oloo was conscripted to the Hoja Alliance. Has money been poured out wanajukwaa?
Let me hypothesize a cabinet reshuffle that would elate the ODM reload whilst best serving the national interest and regional balance.

Following Consultations with the Rt Hon Prime Minister and in exercise of powers conferred to him by the constitution, H.E the President has herein made the following appointments in the cabinet with immediate effect:

1. Fredrick Gumo - Minister for Local Government (confirmed/transferred)

2. Amason Kingi- Minister for Industrialization (confirmed/transferred)

3. Yusuf Haji- Minister for Internal Security (confirmed/transferred)

4. Henry Kosgey- Minister for Agriculture (reappointed, replaces Dr Sally Kosgey ; relieved )

5. Rt Gen Joseph Nkaissery- Minister for Defence (newly appointed)

6. Cecily Mbarire- Minister for Cooperatives Devt (newly appointed, replaces Joseph Nyagah; relieved )

7. Ababu Namwamba- Minister for Fisheries Devt (newly appointed)

8. Magerer Langat – Minister, Regional Devt Authorities (newly appointed)

Appointments of Assistant Ministerial portfolios:

1. Gitobu Imanyara- Assistant Minister, Justice & Constitutional Affairs (newly appointed)

2. William Cheptumo- Assistant Minister, Gender & Children (transferred, replaces Manyala Keya; relieved)

3. Millie Odhiambo- Assistant Minister, Internal Security & Prov. Admin. (newly appointed)

4. David Were- Assistant Minister, Information & Communications (newly appointed replacing George Khaniri; relieved)

5. Wilberforce Otchillo- Assistant Minister, Energy (Newly appointed)

6. Charles Onyancha – Assistant Minister, Public Health & Sanitation (newly appointed, replaces James Gesami, relieved)


Joseph Nyagah is the only politician in the country who lost the last election and benefited from double nominations to parliament and to the cabinet, thanks to Raila’s steadfast commitment to honour all pentagon colleagues. If it is true Nyagah is no longer interested in ODM then it is about time he considers following the suit (salimu amri) by surrendering the ministerial prestige he holds courtesy of ODM. I will skip Ngilu's case for another day. These are challenging times for ODM and calls separation of wheat and chaff.

If national interest would take precedence in the Kibaki-Raila NARA consultations, Joseph Nkaissery, an outstanding Maasai would be considered to replace his departed North Kajiado counter-part Prof George Saitoti. This arrangement would see Kibaki compromising/donating the Defence portfolio to the ODM wing; a practical balance provided Haji retains the Internal Security docket for PNU. ODM does not have an MP from Embu county, so were Nyagah to be relieved of the flag it is only appropriate that the PM forego that ministry to Kibaki to assign a loyalist PNU MP from the same county like Cecily Mbarire. The above completes a noble swap deal as per the accord, is expedient and equally retains the regional/ethnic balance.
The appointment of both Kosgeys to the cabinet in 2008 was one of the most agonizing opportunity costs for the ODM leader. The two were firsts among equals but their executive callings came at expense of the South rift representation. With hindsight, Jepngetich Kosgey has not lived up to the high premium that Prime Minister and the party bestowed on her. Therefore with the return of Kiprono Kosgey and the further elevation anticipated of him, it is time the PM down-grade the relevance of the female Kosgey. I find no harm in relinquishing her cabinet post to be taken up by an ODM lieutenant from the greater Kericho like Hon Magerer Langat. This reshuffle will remedy the skewed allocation and outcry from the Kipsigis.
Baringo North MP William Cheptumo is the only Ruto rebel member that still keeps the ministerial docket courtesy of ODM. If Raila were to sack him, there would be no other loyalist ODM MP from Baringo County to replace him given that the only faithful Turgen Musa Sirma is already in the cabinet having replaced Prof Sambili in an earlier purge. Lessonet and Kigen the other Central rift legislatures are consumed rebels. This perhaps is the wisdom behind the PM’s decision to retain Cheptumo all this time. He is nonetheless an active URP and lustre assistant minister for constitutional affairs. I would at least transfer him to the ministry of Children! In the spirit of refilling the Mount Kenya domain deserted by Nyagah, Raila could appoint Gitobu Imanyara as Assistant Minister for Justice & Constitutional affairs. Assistant Ministers in Kenya are traditionally a zero job allocation; inconsequential idler titles save for the free remuneration. But as the nation experienced with the Late Orwa Ojode, the appointment could make a difference depending on the personality and the portfolio.
Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo is vibrant lady from ODM’s South Nyanza wing (gender parity folks). She could step in the shoes of Sirkal to Harambee House as Assistant Minister for Internal Security.
It may not be immediately be possible to strip Mudavadi of the DPM but the PM should show no mercy to the UDF omenas the likes of Khaniri (Hamisi) and Keya (Lurambi) still in the government due to ODM. They can summarily be sent them packing and replaced with spirited ODM’ers from their respective backyards. He did that successfully with the Ruto.
Just hypothesis, a likely Orange house prism in the current political realignments.