Ex-CS Wamalwa slams Ruto over ‘billionaire’ Kidero’s nomination for CAS job
Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa has criticized President William Ruto's list of persons nominated for the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions.
Speaking during Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition's rally in Ruaraka, Kiambu county, on Friday, March 17, Wamalwa joined the list of thousands of Kenyans who have expressed concerns over the list of 50 nominees, set to cost the taxpayer over Ksh450 million in salaries annually.
Wamalwa claimed that the Head of State had sidelined people at the bottom of the pyramid 'hustlers' who voted for him in the last general election with a promise of an inclusive government only for him to consider 'billionaires' for top state jobs.
He took issue with the nomination of former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero as CAS in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry which is headed by Moses Kuria.
"Jana tumeona mheshimwa Ruto ameteua manaibu was waziri hamsini. Kwa hao 50 mmeona kuna hustler kweli? Kuna mama mboga kweli? Amechukuwa wadosi, mabillionare kama Kidero kumsaidia kazi. Hiyo ni ungwana kweli?" Wamalwa posed.
Loosely translated, "Yesterday, Hon. Ruto appointed fifty assistant ministers. For those 50, have you seen any hustlers on the list? Have you seen small traders? He has nominated wealthy Kenyans, billionaires like Kidero to help him govern. Is that good?"
Wamalwa and other Azimio leaders present at the opposition's engagement with the public dubbed people's baraza, urged Kiambu residents to turn up in large numbers in demonstrations slated for next Monday to pressure the government to address the high cost of living and runaway inflation in the country.
Kidero, who failed in his bid to be Homa Bay Governor, was among a list of Ruto's allies who unsuccessfully contested for various elective seats in the last general election nominated for the CAS jobs yesterday following the recommendation of the Public Service Commission.
Others are former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga who unsuccessfully vied for the Nairobi Woman Representative seat and former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri who have been nominated for CAS jobs in the Interior and Lands ministries respectively.
Other prominent politicians nominated for CAS positions include;
Former Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru (Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs), former Tana River Governor Hussein Tuneyo Dado (Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action), former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali and former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo (Ministry of Roads and Transport).
Others are former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru (Ministry of Co-Operative and Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development), former Starehe MP Charles Njagua Kanyi alias Jaguar (Ministry of Youth Affairs, Arts and Sports), former nominated MP and Knut chairman Wilson Sossion (Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage), former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa (Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation) and former Kisumu Senator Fred Outa (Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs).
The nominees' names have since been forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.
