Anne Waiguru may not be out in the cold for long

Speculation is rife that Anne Waiguru, who recently resigned as Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary, could be destined for another role in Government.

The announcement on November 23 by President Uhuru Kenyatta on creation of an Office of Management and Budget under the Presidency has got tongues wagging, considering Ms Waiguru, who resigned on November 21, has experience at the Treasury. Such appointment would not require vetting by Parliament.

“I am tasking the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service to design an Office of Management and Budget under the Presidency. The Presidency will produce a President’s Budget working with the Parliamentary Budget Office,” said President Kenyatta as he unveiled new anti-corruption measures.

He added: “This will ensure that I drive priorities, oversight and reduce influence peddling in budgeting, while ministries and departments concentrate on implementation and service delivery.”

Earmarked for post

A day after the President made public the proposal for the new post, Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders sensationally claimed Waiguru was earmarked for the position.

CORD leaders Raila Odinga, Moses Wetang’ula and Kalonzo Musyoka alleged they have information that Anne Waiguru is destined to be appointed to head that office (Office of Management and Budget). She will be de facto Treasury boss and head of Civil Service, they said.

Later on the night of November 24, Uhuru, while making public changes to his Cabinet, referred to looming changes in the Executive Office of The President.

“I will on a separate date be announcing a re-organisation of the Executive Office of The President in order to create the necessary structures for the effective co-ordination of my Government and to improve my own ability to serve the Kenyan people more effectively,” Uhuru said as he named the new 20-member Cabinet and 41 principal secretaries.

Fresh vetting

There has been speculation too that Waiguru could be named to the vacant Secretary to Cabinet position. Some have suggested that Waiguru would not require fresh vetting for the position as she was vetted prior to her appointment to Cabinet and although she resigned she was not under any investigation.

The Opposition has resisted creation of the Office of Management and Budget branding it “another layer and another institution meant to strengthen the Presidency and weaken existing legal ones.”

They argued the creation of the new office was against the Constitution.