Immediate former Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria has issued a stern warning to the four opposition-allied members included in President William Ruto’s list of new ministerial nominees, about the formidable challenges they will face if confirmed to their posts by Parliament.
President Ruto has recommended ODM Chair and Nominated MP John Mbadi to lead the Treasury and National Assembly Minority Leader and Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi to oversee the Energy docket. Additionally, former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has been nominated to lead the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy, and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is set to head the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development.
Speaking in Makueni County on Friday, Kuria highlighted several failures of the Kenya Kwanza government so far, while emphasizing the complex economic landscape awaiting the new nominees. Kuria specifically mentioned the ongoing dilemma over mineral revenue sharing in Makueni County, highlighting that despite efforts by the State, the matter has yet to be addressed effectively. He further urged Joho to be prepared to tackle such issues head-on, should he assume office.
“Sisi kama serikali kuna mambo mengi ambayo tumeweza na kuna mengine ambayo hatukuweza. Kwa mfano, hapa katika County ya Makueni tuko na maneno ya madini na huyu gavana amekuja kwangu mara mingi akaniuliza Makueni itapata share ya revenue ya copper lini,” said Kuria, much to the amusement of those in attendance. “Mimi sikuwa na jawabu; hiyo kazi ilitushinda na sasa wewe Governor utatafuta Joho akuambie hiyo mambo.”
Kuria also addressed the difficulties surrounding President Ruto’s flagship credit programme, the Hustler Fund, and woes in Kenya’s coffee industry, where cooperatives have reportedly refused to manage funds meant for farmers. He urged Oparanya to develop and devise new strategies to handle these crises.
“Pia tulikuwa na shida na Hustler Fund. 12 million people wamekopa pesa ya Hustler Fund na wametoroka nayo. Tumejaribu kuwafuata imetushinda; tukaambia Oparanya inaonekana hiyo kazi unaeza, kuja utafute hiyo pesa,” Kuria said. “Huko kwetu, kahawa iko na shida kwa sababu cooperatives zimekataa na pesa ya wakulima. Sisi kama Kenya Kwanza tukajaribu kufuata pesa ikatushinda, tukaambia Oparanya akuje atusaidie kutafuta hiyo pesa ya kahawa.”
Kuria likewise stated that fuel prices have been a point of contention between Kenyans and the State since Ruto assumed office in September 2022, highlighting that the Kenya Kwanza regime has struggled to implement effective measures to manage costs.
“Mlipiga makelele kwa sababu ya bei ya mafuta mpaka ikanibidi mimi kuwaambia mchimbe kisima yenu; mkaniambia kisima hamwezi kuchimba. Tuliposhindwa na hiyo kazi, tukaenda Ugunja tukatafuta James Opiyo Wandayi atupatie formula ya kuteremsha bei ya mafuta kwa sababu hiyo kazi imetushinda,” he said.
The former CS further highlighted the challenges of managing national debt and the complexity of funding essential services such as housing, healthcare, and education, warning Mbadi that his head will be on the chopping block if he doesn’t find ways to balance the national budget effectively.
“Ile sasa ilikuwa ngumu zaidi; madeni ndio hiyo. Tukajaribu kufuata ushuru mkatuambia tusiongeze ushuru. Tukawauliza hii maneno ya housing, healthcare na elimu…Ksh.650 billion ambayo tunatumia kwa elimu tutatoa pesa wapi,” said Kuria. “Hiyo maneno ikakuwa kizungumkuti tukaingia Suba tukatafta jamaa anaitwa John Mbadi atupatie formula ndio shida ikizidi yeye aulizwe.”
In his remarks, Kuria painted a stark picture of the challenges ahead for the new nominees, emphasizing the failures of the Kenya Kwanza administration and the formidable tasks awaiting the incoming ministers. As they prepare to take on their new roles, the nominees will need to navigate a complex and challenging economic landscape, addressing issues that have thus far eluded resolution by the current government.
