Central Kenya Leaders Clash over President Uhuru's Appointments to the Cabinet

Political leaders from Mount Kenya region have clashed over President Uhuru's expected appointments to the cabinet once he assumes office for his second term.

Politicians from central Kenya are embroiled in a vicious war over who to be appointed for the lucrative positions. Leaders drawn from Nyeri are vouching for one of their own to be given a Cabinet Secretary post.

The war heightened after 15 MPs from the region condemned Nyeri Senator Ephraim Maina for allegedly calling for the firing of Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri. Speculation has it that leaders from Nyeri are rooting for former Senator Mutahi Kagwe to be appointed to the Cabinet to replace Kiunjuri, who hails from Laikipia.

“I am speaking on behalf of Mt Kenya political leadership and I am sure the people of Laikipia share the same concern,” Nyeri Senator Maina was quoted as saying. “We no longer trust and have lost confidence in CS Kiunjuri.”

Led by Patrick Kariuki (Laikipia North), the MPs criticised Maina and accused him of playing divisive politics in the region that overwhelmingly voted for President Uhuru.

“Mr Maina has been on the warpath with almost everyone from Mount Kenya region,” said Kariuki.

“He should know that the contribution of Mr Kiunjuri in the recent election of President Kenyatta is huge. Let him tell us what he did not only in Nyeri but the entire region.”

However, Maina said he was misquoted, but accused Kiunjuri of openly campaigning for his rival in the August 8th elections.

“I was quoted in a subject that I was never involved in,” said Mr Maina in response to the criticism. “It is not my prerogative to tell the President whom to appoint; that is his job. Kiunjuri came to Nyeri and went as far as campaigning for a rival party’s candidate. I complained to Jubilee headquarters. It was wrong for him to do that against the President’s directive,” said Maina.