The Jubilee duo is in for a second term after their inauguration on Tuesday.
A second term in office for both President Uhuru Kenyatta is a tough ride, one driven by legacy and succession politics.
In Uhuru’s second term, he is expected to leave an indelible mark of exceptional development meaning he has to bring the right team on board.
On the other hand, the new team to steer his legacy must be pro-Ruto’s 2022 Presidential bid.
All this calls for delicate balancing and lots of political and professional wit.
In a few days, the two are expected to go for a retreat and pick their new team.
This is another herculean task for the two.
“It is a delicate balance. The changes must win political goodwill and must ensure a lot is achieved in the limited time in the President’s last term,” an Jubilee insider told the Star.
There has been intense lobbying from several quarters as well as the need to reward Jubilee loyalists from opposition strongholds who lost in the August 8 polls.
Uhuru will expand the Cabinet to 22 from the current 19.
Some of the current Cabinet Secretaries are set to face the sack due to under performance. The new team is expected to align itself with Jubilee agenda as well as succession in 2022.
According to the Star, the new cabinet will bring on board 20 per cent of politicians and 80 per cent of technocrats to proper service delivery.
Ruto’s role in government will be catapulted and directorates falling under his the Office of the Deputy President will be elevated to powerful state departments.
They include, as the Star reveals, Efficiency Monitoring Unit, Inter-Governmental Relations and the Inspectorate of State Corporations.
A Principal Secretary will be in-charge of each state department.
All this is in readiness for his take over after Uhuru exits the political scene in 2022.
The Public Service Commission headed by Prof Margaret Kobia yesterday shortlisted 120 candidates for 60 PS jobs up for grabs.
The shortlisted candidates are majorly political renegades who never made a comeback to the National Assembly.
Parliament is expected to constitute the Appointment Committee, which will vet nominated Cabinet Secretaries.
Parties that supported Jubilee throughout the lengthy campaign season have submitted names of people they wish to be appointed as CS’.
However, due to the limited number of slots in the Cabinet, it is likely that Jubilee loyalist will be appointed as diplomats while others are given roles to oversee the running of state parastatals.