Mixed reactions greet second list of appointees

By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Thursday, April 25  2013 at  23:30

The naming of the second batch of Cabinet secretaries by President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday was greeted with mixed reactions across the country.

In Eldoret, while many residents welcomed the 16 Cabinet appointees, a handful expressed dissatisfaction arguing that the nominees did not have a national outlook as some communities were left out.

Others were startled by the naming of Mr Najib Balala and Mrs Charity Ngilu who lost their senatorial bids in the March 4 poll.

This was contrary to Mr Ruto’s sentiments that there would be no politicians in the line-up. “The Deputy President had initially hinted that they would not reward political losers but I was shocked to see Mr Balala and Mrs Ngilu in the list,” said Mr Otieno Juma, a mechanic in Eldoret.

However, business leaders in Kitui County welcomed the nomination of Mrs Ngilu.

Chamber of Commerce county chairman Muema Wilson thanked the President for honouring the pre-election coalition deal with Narc.

Some Kisumu and Homa Bay residents were outraged by the list citing regional imbalance alongside the naming of former Cabinet ministers contrary to the Constitution.

At the Coast, Bishop Julius Kalu of the Mombasa Anglican Diocese, asked the President to “stop appointing politicians” and stick to the Jubilee promises that only professionals would be named as Cabinet secretaries.

“I hope Mr Balala and Ms Ngilu are the last politicians to make it to the Cabinet, he said.