New ministers have work cut out for them

He barged into the political scene with youthful vigour and has maintained that label: Kenya future prosperity belongs to, and must be steered by the youth. That man is Eugene Wamalwa.

And with the same gusto, he took over his first ministerial appointment at the Justice ministry yesterday, in place of long-serving veteran lawyer Mutula Kilonzo.

And of course, all media has an opinion or other during these testy and momentous times. Ours is to congratulate Eugene for his elevation as Watchdog Number One of the rights of all Kenyans, even as we demand a few things in return.

Given the sensitivity and overall importance of the Justice and Constitutional Affairs docket, Eugene will undoubtedly be in the public eye a lot more, from now henceforth. For the lawyer in him, the courtroom just got wider and louder and he will learn to keep his counsel, advise government on the best possible legal routes to tread and read the charts for the ubiquitous ‘mines’ that will no doubt litter his tenure.

The new minister shall learn to develop a thick skin, as the spotlight shall invariably be on his office and interpretations or directions that may emanate from there.

Given the fractious nature of the Grand Coalition Government and a decidedly polarised Parliament, his must become a unifying rather than divisive appointment. He shall find his office faced with the self-same challenges of selective interpretation of provisions in the new Constitution by vested interests.

Not-so-rosy task

He shall have to deal with the steaming potato that is the International Criminal Court, appointments to public office, confronting the Lords of Impunity, witness protection and a host of other pieces of legislation.

It is, therefore, not a time to celebrate the elevation, rather time to roll up the sleeves and get some judicial work done.

These observations do not just apply to Eugene Wamalwa alone. The same appointing authority handed Mr Danson Mwazo, another newcomer to Cabinet, the not-so-rosy task of ensuring Kenya becomes and remains the destination of choice for tourists. Easier said than done, as many of his predecessors have found out.

However, much ground has been covered and Mr Mwazo’s task would be to breathe life into the legacies of past Tourism ministers.

Mr Wetangula is no stranger to roundtable negotiations or recognising when to play hardball. As the immediate former Foreign minister, he is very well placed to address trade matters regionally and internationally. As it is, recent high-profile visitors to Kenya were here solely on matters to do with trade. What more is there to say?

Environment minister Ali Chirau Mwakwere has for the second time taken over a docket formerly held by the late John Michuki. First was the Transport ministry and now Environment. His predecessor had things sewed up pretty well and ran a tight, well-regimented ship. If the accolades Michuki was showered with at his requiem Mass are any indicator, let’s hope he did not raise the bar too high.

Mr Jamleck Kamau comes in to replace the late son of Murang’a, Michuki. No one needs to draw him a map of Nairobi or enumerate the myriad needs unique to this city. Can he prove that he is the man Nairobians have been waiting for?

Prof Sam Ongeri is known for his methodical approach to issues. And having been a key PNU-Kanu negotiator at the Serena talks in 2008, he appears to be the right appointee to the Foreign Affairs desk. It is time he oversaw crafting of some hard and fast rules and a Foreign Policy seeing as Kenya is increasingly being called upon to lead or arbitrate between states, the world over.

In confirming Mr Njeru Githae at the Treasury, the President must have been alive to the fact that the annual Budget cycle is being assailed and pressured by demands from every ministry.

In this docket too, lies the make-or-break proposal that devolved government is waiting for. At no other time in the history of this nation has the Treasury been under such scrutiny. Githae needs no "honeymoon" and would be well advised to start counting the shillings and make sense thereof.

Plush offices

Mutula Kilonzo is no stranger to this publication. The straight-talking lawyer has little fear for criticism and will have little trouble straightening the Education ministry at a time when there are calls for revising the learning system, higher education is expanding, teachers’ unions are as militant as ever and the examinations council is taking a beating. "Good morning Mr Kilonzo", they shall keep saying until they realise he is the man that wields the cane!

Whatever other motivation informed this mini-reshuffle, it is clear there is a lot of work ahead for all these gentlemen whose plush offices we shall call into in 100 days. Need we say more?