Pressure mounts on President Ruto, Parliament over controversial cabinet nominees

Clergymen warned members of Parliament against approving cabinet nominees rejected by Kenyans. This even as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua continued to appeal to Gen-Z to end the protests.

Days after President William Ruto nominated 11 individuals to make up his new cabinet after dissolving 21 members of his cabinet and the Attorney General, Kenyans, including members of the clergy, continue to express their disquiet.

Rev. David Gikonyo, Presbyter PCEA Nairobi South, stated, "When Solomon was putting up his temple, the stones were dressed from the quarry first, meaning on the site, it is just building; in the quarry, it is preparation. Go to the quarry, do the work of the quarry before you go to the site. You brought in stones that were not fully dressed. Let the noise be in the quarry."

According to Rev. Gikonyo, the cabinet secretary nominees were not chiseled perfectly and hence didn’t fit in their roles.

As the process of vetting the nominees by members of Parliament gets underway in the coming days, Kenyans want a proper scrutiny of the nominees.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua responded, "Bishop, I have heard what you said about the stones, but you also need to work on them in the quarry."

The banter between the Deputy President and the clergy carries a deeper meaning away from the church as Gen-Z ignore calls for dialogue with President William Ruto and threaten to return to the streets to express their displeasure with the nomination. However, the Deputy President continued to plead with Gen-Z to stand down.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said, "You are my sons and daughters, and you have been heard. Don’t let our country go into the hands of people who are taking advantage of the situation."

Critics have termed the vetting process of cabinet secretaries as a charade where Parliament scratches the surface and does not delve into critical background checks of individuals. Members of Parliament say the rage in their constituencies is palpable.

Mejjadonk Gathiru, MP Embakasi Central, stated, "When those CS nominees come to Parliament, those who have been arrogant, I will not pass them. I will listen to what you say. Sometimes you see an MP afraid to go to the ground because of the anger that is there. Don’t be angry with me."

As the buildup to Tuesday protests gains traction on social media, the partial cabinet nominated by President William Ruto is at the heart of the discussion, with dissenting voices disapproving of the President's move.