What Kenyans said about President Uhuru’s #CabinetReshuffle

Following highly publicised grand corruption cases that saw several Cabinet Secretaries step aside, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a major cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday.

The reshuffle saw new entrants into the ministries’ top seats and the expansion of the ministerial dockets from 19 to 20.

Former Google Country Manager Joe Mucheru was nominated as the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) replacing Fred Matiang’i who has been reassigned to the education docket. Other newcomers include: Sicily Kanini Kariuki (Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs), Dr. Cleophas Mailu (Health), and Willy Bett (Agriculture).

The shakeup saw Kericho Senator Charles Keter, who is said to be a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto, named as Davis Chirchir’s replacement in the energy docket.

Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery (Interior), Rachel Omamo (Defense), Ambassador Amina Mohamed (Foreign Affairs), Adan Mohamed (Industrialization), Eugene Wamalwa (Water and Irrigation), Henry Rotich (Treasury), Hassan Wario (Sports) and Judy Wakhungu (Environment) have retained their Ministries.

This bombshell announcement, which came on the eve of the Pope’s historic visit to the country, set social media ablaze causing the hash tag #CabinetReshuffle to climb to the top of the trends page.

While many applauded the removal of CSs who had been linked to graft, others asked what criteria was used in deciding which ministers would be retained. Professor Jacob Kaimenyi was singled out by numerous tweeters, with many pointing out the woes that plagued the education docket during his tenure as CS.

Do Cabinet Secretaries sign performance contracts? The one's been reshuffled,how have they performed? Were they appraised? #CabinetReshuffle

— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) November 24, 2015

After proving his hatred for KE school children, #Kaimenyi can now go fumble at the already messed up Lands Ministry #CabinetReshuffle

— Muganda Clay (@mqhlay) November 24, 2015

#CabinetReshuffle what a big joke transferring kaimenyi to the lands ministry uhuru is playing with Kenyans.

— chris – bantero!! (@crispinokumu) November 24, 2015

Kaimenyi should have been sent Home…. When water gets dirty do u throw it away or do you change the cup? #CabinetReshuffle

— The Dan Muniu (@TheDanmuniu) November 24, 2015

In response to the nomination of two sitting MPs to the cabinet, one tweeter asked the president to consider technocrats.

Mr president I think these politicians have earned enough from our taxes, please consider th technocrats @UKenyatta #CabinetReshuffle

— AmAFoolKid (@254Young_Fool) November 24, 2015

#CabinetReshuffle why nominate mps n senators? For by-election? Mr president y?

— Evans agaya (@Evans93646011) November 24, 2015

The expansion of the number of Ministries did not sit too well with a section of social media users, with many saying the wage bill was already too burdensome on Kenyan taxpayers.

I didn't think our govt could get any more bloated but then the #CabinetReshuffle and the works happens.Yay!more pockets to fill.

— Ruth Chelimo (@Mimmoh007) November 24, 2015

Increased cabinet positions plus TWO by elections that will cost millions. You gotta love how we people think #CabinetReshuffle

— Kenya West© (@KinyanBoy) November 24, 2015

Sports enthusiasts, including top sports journalist Carol Radul, questioned why Hassan Wario retained his seat despite the numerous corruption scandals in his ministry.

#CabinetReshuffle Sports, Culture and The Arts… Hassan Wario. So Business unusual continues!

— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) November 24, 2015

With the way #HarambeeStars were treated, @UKenyatta still gives us #HassanWario really?? I think I could do better #CabinetReshuffle

— Phannuel Phanntastic (@Phann_tastic) November 24, 2015

I'm excited about the new #CabinetReshuffle only hitch is #Wario in sports. Harambee Stars drama now athletics Drama

— Lotan Salapei (@sirlotan) November 24, 2015