TIFA Poll: Kenyans against reappointment of sacked CSs

By Peter Ochieng

Kenyans have shared their views concerning the possibility of reappointment of sacked Cabinet Secretaries (CSs).

Last week, President William Ruto dissolved his entire cabinet after pressure from youth pushing for good governance, save for deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi.

Mudavadi is currently acting in all the cabinet slots, until President Ruto appoints his next ministers.

According to results of a poll conducted by research firm, TIFA, majority of Kenyans are against the possible reappointment of sacked CSs.

Poll results show that 53 percent of those who were involved in the survey maintained that sacked CSs should not be reappointed.

However, 38 percent of Kenyans proposed that CSs whose time in office was characterised by success should be given another chance, while 8 percent of Kenyans said that the President should not have dissolved the cabinet in the first place.

TIFA conducted the poll on 16th and 17th July 2024, with a sample size of 1,507 from across the country.

Majority of Kenyans, that is 61 percent of those polled vouched for the return of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Abraham Kithure Kindiki to the cabinet.

Kindiki was severally ranked the best performing CS since his appointment into office in 2022.

Former Information, Communication, Technology and Digital Economy (ICT) CS Eliud Owalo was second with an approval rating of 48 percent, while his former education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu got 23 percent rating.

"The general consensus against retaining any Cabinet Secretaries indicates a widespread desire for comprehensive governmental change and new leadership," Tifa said.

The poll results may inform President Ruto's next course of action, as he crafts his next cabinet.