Open letter to President Ruto, Raila and MPs on 'disappointing' Cabinet nominations

I write this letter with a heavy heart, tears in my eyes, and a profound sense of disappointment.

It seems that the events which nearly brought Kenya to ashes have been forgotten.

I mourn Rex Masai and others who lost their lives fighting for a better Kenya. This letter is in response to your 11 nominations made yesterday to your so-called “Broad Based Government.”

Dear Mr. President,

Why are you ignoring the mood of the country, especially the protesting Gen Zs? Your 11 appointments yesterday only add fuel to the fire, giving more reasons for the youth to protest, risk their lives, and continue the #RutoMustGo hashtag.

As Erick Opingo wrote in his book, “Be The Answer To Your Generation,” “A denial for change is a decision to live in your yesterday.” But was our yesterday as a country good enough to warrant living in it?

Why have you denied change? During your campaign, you often said, “Kuna Upungufu ya Wajinga Hii Kenya,” implying a shortage of fools in Kenya. Yet, since taking office, it seems you believe fools are plentiful for your PR games. Are you being sincere?

Are you sincere in sacking all Cabinet Secretaries only to reappoint many of the same faces in your first batch of 11 nominations for National Assembly vetting? Are you sincere in sacking Ezekiel Machogu, the former CS for Education, only to replace him with his aide and running mate from your UDA party’s gubernatorial race in Kisii County in 2022?

Are you sincere In sacking Mithika Linturi, the “fake fertilizers man,” only to appoint his aide, his PA, who helped implement detrimental policies almost leading to Linturi’s impeachment by Hon. Jack Wanami Wamboka?

“Birds of the same feather flock together.” If this phrase holds true, Machogu’s running mate and Linturi’s PA will not perform any better than their predecessors. Why bring back 6 out of 11 appointees? Why dismiss them only to reappoint them? Are they the only qualified Kenyans? If it’s about merit, Kindiki might come close, but not the others.

You may believe in the phrase, “Dawa ya moto ni moto,” but we don’t need your fire to cure the situation. We need solutions from the very people who recognize that something is amiss. Who represents Gen Z and millennials? Who speaks for Mama Mboga and Mtu ya Boda Boda? Did you mean that you will only listen to the trumpet blown on the last day and not the voices of the Kenyan people? If so, you must be prepared for the consequences in 2027.

To Mzee Raila Odinga,

Your frequent title changes are notable. History will record that you were once illegally sworn in as the People’s President and now it is looking like you are the People’s enemy.

What is your shadow doing in State House? We know whose Cabinet slots remain. Are you taking advantage? Families are mourning their loved ones. Are you aware you are consuming more than you can chew?

History will not vindicate you. Your autobiography will confuse its writer, as a chameleon changes slowly for good reasons, but your actions... You will be remembered as a dancer who never knew when to leave the stage.

Dear Members of Parliament,

I know you are as bitter as we are, but you chose to serve political party masters instead of the people who elected you.

You may feel powerless over the appointments, but as usual, your role is to stamp their approval. It seems you don’t think independently, letting others decide for you while you chase the highest bidder.

I know you’re hurriedly assembling your retirement benefits, preparing to leave us a shattered republic as you relocate to Western countries with your families after 2027.

You have one chance to redeem yourselves. Tell the president he is using the same script that led to #OccupyParliament, and you’re not willing to comply this time. Stand up to the occasion and vindicate yourselves. If you must approve any nominations, limit it to two names: one recall and one new, legitimate face.

In conclusion, I cry for my country Kenya.

Disappointed and shocked,

Sebastian Karani.