By Angela Ambitho

NAIROBI, KENYA: Don’t brandish me a liar or claim that I’m inconsistent! When I say I will deliver by tomorrow, you misunderstand it to mean tomorrow morning when in actuality the day effectively ends at midnight. When I say comprehensive you think I mean entire, when I actually mean substantial not whole. When I say representing the “face of Kenya”, you think of all 42 tribes when in fact I mean representation from seven regions or provinces. When I say there will be no politicians in the Cabinet, you are quick to assume that anyone who has been involved in active politics irrespective of whether they won or lost is a politician, whereas I consider anyone who has lost an election as a non-politician; a civilian. Please learn to read between the lines and not take everything at face value!

Indeed, this is the lesson learnt from the President and his Deputy the past week. Not only were we treated to drama, intrigue and surprises but also to contradictions.

The drama began early in the week with the piecemeal mention of Cabinet Secretaries. It was compounded by an hours non on end wait that resulted in not the following day and an eventual delivery on Thursday two hours shy of the promised time. This waiting game indicated that there were probably disagreements not only on the allocation of ministries, but also on the candidates to be touted. And whilst the two principals appeared in similar outfits, holding hands and laughing heartily, the underlying tension seemed clear to anyone keen to see beyond the smokescreen.

The intrigue revolved around what appears to be power play between the country’s CEO and his deputy. The fact they signed a 50-50 power sharing agreement perhaps gives the notion of some equality and rationalises the “omnipresence” of the deputy around the Head of State.

Some have even chided that we seem to have a co-president as opposed to a deputy president which you and I know is unsustainable.

As the two leaders settle in their positions, reality is bound to set in with clear working boundaries.

Time will tell.

The pleasant and unpleasant surprises focused primarily on the list of Cabinet nominees. Whilst it was refreshing to see women allocated powerful dockets such as Foreign Affairs and Defence, it was disappointing that only the minimum threshold was adhered to. Whilst it was inspiring to see technocrats filling majority of the slots, it was deflating to note that political patronage over and above qualification and merit motivated the list. But it was the contradictions that carried the day. Despite being assured that the Cabinet would not consist of any politicians, we were shell shocked to see election losers awarded key Cabinet dockets.

Another contradiction centred on the public declaration that the Cabinet would represent the face of Kenya. Including the President, his Deputy, Cabinet affairs in-charge, Attorney General and the sixteen nominees, almost 60 per cent of the members will emanate from two communities.

Seven members hail from Gema, five from the Kalenjin; three are Somali while the Luhya, Luo, Kamba, Gusii, and Arabs have one slot each. Whilst it’s understood that loyal communities must be rewarded, greater effort should have been taken to ensure the Cabinet was more inclusive. The current status will have many tribes feeling left out. Following the action packed week, the onus will now be on Parliament to play its pivotal role in vetting the Cabinet guided by law and alive to public expectations. Hopefully the shenanigans will not extend to legislators as they accept or nominate the nominees.

As the nation’s eyes glare on them, it is hoped that they shall make their constituents proud by exhibiting professionalism and utmost fairness in their assessment of the proposed Cabinet.

Finally as we start a new week, let’s hope for less ambiguity and more clarity; less tardiness and more decisiveness. Let’s also pray that our leaders will mean what they say and say what they mean as we all think in sync.