President Uhuru Kenyatta return to Sagana Lodge raises talk of reshuffle

President Uhuru Kenyatta returned to Sagana State Lodge on Saturday morning, fuelling speculation that he was planning changes in his government.

The President first went to Sagana on April 25, a day after he cut short his trip to the United States mid-air, prompting reports that he was going to make a major announcement, with some heads likely to roll over corruption allegations.

Two days later, President Kenyatta appointed 302 people to boards of state-owned corporations.

Last Thursday evening, the President flew back to Nairobi, where he presided over Labour Day celebrations on Friday, before returning to Sagana the following day to finish what sources said were new appointments and changes in his Cabinet.

Sources indicated that Uhuru, who held a meeting with his deputy William Ruto, last week might drop at least three of the five Cabinet secretaries (CSs) who stepped aside after they were named in an Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) list and are under investigation for corruption.

The President is said to be planning to expand his Cabinet to bring on board key figures from regions considered Opposition strongholds as he ring-fences his game plan for the 2017 General Election.

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Already, former Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa has been nominated to the Cabinet, with sources indicating there may be another appointment going to Western Kenya, while Kisii, Ukambani and Coast may get one more slot each.

"It's a matter of time before the announcement is done. Probably this week you will hear some news," a Government source added.

Instructively, the President last week made appointments to 79 parastatals that State House said were the "first batch of appointments to State Corporations".

Close associates and aides of the President yesterday said they were not aware of a planned reshuffle.

State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu remained tight-lipped when he was asked if the President was going to make any major announcements soon.

Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly, Aden Duale, said Uhuru returned to Sagana, to continue with his holiday after the aborted trip to the US last week.

"The President just cut short his holiday and came back to Nairobi to address Labour Day celebrations and meet former US President Bill Clinton before retreating to Sagana. He is also set to return to Nairobi tomorrow (today) to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry," Duale said.

President Kenyatta's close ally and Jubilee Alliance Party Vice Chairman David Murathe told the media to avoid "speculating".

"It is his (President's) prerogative including the timing of any reshuffle in the Cabinet. He makes decisions when he is ready and no amount of pressure from media stories can influence him. Let Kenyans wait and media should stop speculating," Murathe said.

Senate Majority leader Kithure Kindiki said he was not aware of any planned changes. "I have not been informed of any changes in the executive, not any that I have heard," he said.

Uhuru is also said to be waiting for the military to officially bid farewell today to retired Chief of Defence Forces Julius Karangi before announcing the changes.

Speculation is rife that Gen Karangi could be named to the position of National Security Advisor, expected to be created soon.