Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama has dispelled claims that the recent Cabinet changes done by President Uhuru Kenyatta were meant to suppress William Ruto’s politically ahead of the 2022 elections.
Muthama who is also the chairman of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a party heavily linked to Deputy President William Ruto said the cabinet changes are routine activities in any government meant to improve service delivery to the citizens.
“The recent reshuffle doesn’t affect William Ruto in any way, cabinet secretaries are appointed to serve the people, not the deputy president,” Muthama said in a Tweet.
He further noted that the presidential hopeful will not be competing with President Uhuru Kenyatta for State House job come 2022 hence no need to trim his political journey.
“William Ruto has never been in competition with Uhuru Kenyatta, cabinet reshuffle is a routine activity in any government,” he added.
On Wednesday, September 29, the president announced changes in a number of ministries in Kenya where some of Cabinet secretaries allied to the deputy president and principal secretaries were moved to other dockets.
As part of the reshuffle in a gazette notice, Charles Keter, a close ally of William Ruto was moved from Energy Ministry to that of Devolution in a cabinet shuffle that analysts said was meant to politically suppress William Ruto.
“By transferring him to the Devolution ministry, the Head of State did not want to be seen as directly dehorning William Ruto because, despite efforts to technically kick him out, the president is paying close attention to political stability, especially as the 2022 elections approach,” said political analyst Mark Bichachi.
In another cabinet shuffle that analysts had claimed that was targeted at the deputy president saw Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui lose the departments of Special Programmes and Senior Citizens Affairs.