Do you think Cabinet jobs may end up splitting Jubilee?

It is already conspicuous that the appointment of Cabinet secretaries has generated disquiet in the ruling party despite the concerned parties downplaying it. From where I sit, the elephant in the room is hinged on the fact President Kenyatta and his Deputy Ruto peg the appointments on two distinct and divergent portfolios. Uhuru is keen on a legacy considering this is his final term in office and probably seeks to have in place faces that will help him execute his mandate and plan impeccably.

Well, at least that is what he said (on legacy) during his fête. However, I’d say that hypothetically the nomination of the likes of Keriako Tobiko, who one would candidly argue wasn’t the epitome of public office competence as the ODPP makes one ponder whether the President is really keen on a reputable legacy.

DP Ruto on the other hand is intimated to be keen on having lieutenants who would chaperone his 2022 bid in the Cabinet. That is why I would be forgiven to reiterate that is a possible cause of the touted rift. The split triggered by Cabinet appointments sets precedence for the bigger picture which is that Mt. Kenya and the other political regal from the Rift Valley might be trying to cut Ruto to size, which is not new in Kenyan politics.

But on the other hand, it would be logical to point out that appointments often trigger rifts in political parties that do not imply major division. NASA, for instance, experienced the same during house leadership and committee membership with a section threatening to ditch the coalition, but it eventually simmered down.

The split, whether superficial or real, doesn’t spell good for Jubilee. The appointments should be pegged on regional and ethnic balance, gender consciousness and sheer competence.