19th February, 2018
Days after Deputy President William Ruto was sworn-in, focus has now shifted to how he will manage expectations in his backyard on public appointments. The DP will be navigating stormy waters in rewarding his loyalists while wooing regions whose support he hopes to attract in his 2022 presidential bid. And in a taste of the headache ahead, political noises are already being heard in his backyard over the final list of Jubilee nominees to the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA). Of the 39 applicants to EALA from North Rift and South Rift, only four made it to the final list of 15 to be vetted by the National Assembly. They are Irene Masit (Elgeyo Marakwet), Eunice Karanja (Trans Nzoia), Florence Jematia (Baringo) and Jackson Kosgei (Baringo). The DP’s supporters say the slots are not enough even as they demand that one of their own be included on the list.