Moses Kuria Warns ODM Nominees of Challenges in Kenya Kwanza Administration
PHOTO: Former Public Service CS Moses Kuria
Former Public Service CS Cautions New Ministerial Nominees
Moses Kuria, the immediate former Public Service Cabinet Secretary, recently issued a stern warning to the four opposition members nominated by President William Ruto for ministerial positions. Kuria, addressing the complexities that await the new appointees, emphasized the significant challenges they will face if confirmed by Parliament. Read more about President Ruto’s nominations.
Nominees and Their New Roles
President Ruto has recommended ODM Chair and Nominated MP John Mbadi to lead the Treasury. Similarly, he nominated National Assembly Minority Leader and Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi to oversee the Energy docket. Former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho is set to head the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy, while former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya will lead the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development. Explore the roles of the new nominees.
Kuria Highlights Kenya Kwanza’s Failures
During his speech in Makueni County, Kuria underscored several failures of the Kenya Kwanza government. He pointed out the persistent issues regarding mineral revenue sharing in Makueni County. Despite state efforts, the issue remains unresolved. Kuria urged Joho to be ready to address such challenges directly if he takes office. Learn more about Makueni’s mineral revenue issue.
Kuria humorously recalled how Makueni Governor had frequently asked him about the revenue share for copper. “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, eliciting amusement from the audience. He continued, “Mimi sikuwa na jawabu; hiyo kazi ilitushinda na sasa wewe Governor utatafuta Joho akuambie hiyo mambo.” Read about the ongoing issues with mineral revenue sharing.
Challenges Facing the Hustler Fund and Coffee Industry
Kuria also addressed the struggles surrounding President Ruto’s flagship initiative, the Hustler Fund. He reported that 12 million people borrowed from the fund but failed to repay. Kuria expressed the difficulty in retrieving the funds and urged Oparanya to find a solution. “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,” he said. Find out more about the Hustler Fund challenges.
Moreover, Kuria highlighted the troubles in Kenya’s coffee industry. He mentioned that cooperatives have refused to manage funds meant for farmers. “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.” Learn about the issues in Kenya’s coffee industry.
Fuel Prices and Other Financial Hurdles
Kuria brought attention to the ongoing issue of high fuel prices, which has been a contentious topic since Ruto’s administration began in September 2022. He noted the Kenya Kwanza government’s struggle to implement effective measures to manage fuel 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,” Kuria explained. Read about the issues with fuel prices.
Managing National Debt and Essential Services
Kuria further discussed the complexities of managing the national debt and funding essential services such as housing, healthcare, and education. He warned Mbadi that his position could be at risk if he fails to effectively balance the national budget. “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. Discover the challenges of managing national debt.
Urgency for Effective Solutions
Kuria expressed urgency for the new appointees to find effective solutions to these ongoing challenges. He emphasized that their success in addressing these issues will be crucial for their credibility and effectiveness in their new roles. “Hiyo maneno ikakuwa kizungumkuti tukaingia Suba tukatafta jamaa anaitwa John Mbadi atupatie formula ndio shida ikizidi yeye aulizwe,” Kuria added. Learn more about the importance of addressing these challenges.
Moses Kuria’s remarks serve as a stark reminder of the formidable challenges facing Kenya Kwanza’s new ministerial nominees. With significant issues like mineral revenue sharing, the Hustler Fund, fuel prices, and national debt at the forefront, the incoming ministers will need to navigate a complex landscape. Their ability to address these problems will likely determine their success and the effectiveness of their contributions to the administration. Read more about the new ministerial nominees.
