By Mohamed Wato
The nomination of cabinet secretaries by Uhuru had many firsts, just as the Uhuruto duo had promised. Each of the nominee’s qualifications was presented to the nation and the absence of the not-so-well educated and politically powerful types was evident.
Additionally, the nation had an opportunity to hear from each of the nominees during the announcement.
Uhuru’s is clearly a digital team, and they did not disappoint at all. As if to drive this point home, one nominee had even turned up with a tablet.
The cabinet for the first time had also attracted unsullied credentials including one resume from Ivy League college, the Harvard School of business.
Good qualifications can bring much needed competence; it does not always translate to positive results. Professional competencies need to be matched with the responsibilities conferred on technocrats.
Having resourceful people at the right place is critical because the philosophy driving the coalition is action oriented, as opposed to empty rhetoric, going by their mantra “kusema na kutenda”.
The Jubilee coalition had made wide ranging promises to Kenyans. They made pledges, to improve national health, the state of security situation, education, and infrastructure development.The coalition’s manifesto implementation depends on skills, knowledge, and the ability of cabinet secretaries to perform.
Unfortunately, there are nominees in charge of dockets unconnected with their area of expertise. Yet others Like Najib Balala and Charity Ngilu got rewarded for political solidarity.
The president has indisputably scored very well in achieving gender parity and regional balance. With Somalis and Rendilles in Uhuru's team, history stands written. The lean cabinet is also young but this alone is not enough to pass fitness test. The team assembled by uhuruto is not anything close to a dream team.
The implementation of ambitious plans envisaged in Jubilee manifesto will not materialize without a capable team.
