Immediate former Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria has issued a stern warning to four opposition-aligned nominees in President William Ruto’s new ministerial lineup, highlighting the significant challenges they will face if confirmed by Parliament.
President Ruto’s recent nominations include ODM Chair and Nominated MP John Mbadi for the Treasury, National Assembly Minority Leader and Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi for the Energy docket, former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho for the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy, and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development.
Speaking in Makueni County, Kuria pointed out the difficulties the Kenya Kwanza government has faced, emphasizing the complex economic landscape awaiting the new nominees.
He specifically highlighted ongoing issues such as mineral revenue sharing in Makueni County, a matter yet to be effectively addressed.
“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,” Kuria said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “Mimi sikuwa na jawabu; hiyo kazi ilitushinda na sasa wewe Governor utatafuta Joho akuambie hiyo mambo.”
Kuria also touched on challenges with President Ruto’s flagship credit programme, the Hustler Fund, and issues in Kenya’s coffee industry, where cooperatives have reportedly refused to manage funds meant for farmers.
He urged Oparanya to develop strategies to address 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 stated.
“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.”
Fuel prices have also been a contentious issue since Ruto assumed office, with Kuria noting the government’s struggles to manage costs effectively.
He humorously recounted a previous suggestion to the public to drill their own wells, underscoring the severity of the fuel price issue.
“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.
Kuria further highlighted the complexities of managing national debt and funding essential services such as housing, healthcare, and education.
He warned Mbadi that his position would be under intense scrutiny if he failed 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,” Kuria added.
“Hiyo maneno ikakuwa kizungumkuti tukaingia Suba tukatafta jamaa anaitwa John Mbadi atupatie formula ndio shida ikizidi yeye aulizwe.”
The warnings from Kuria underscore the significant challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead for the new Cabinet nominees as they prepare to take on their roles amidst a challenging economic.
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