The Kenyan political scene has for long been criticised by the dominance exercised by certain powerful families that were first to scoop power after the country’s independence.
Like the animal farm in George Orwell’s famous novella, some Kenyans are more equal than others.
Either by design or by accident of circumstances, some Kenyans with certain roots have been fortunate to occupy very powerful government offices.
Pulselive.co.ke looks at eight members of President Uhuru Kenyatta who have been picked for senior government positions.
1. Kristina Kenyatta-Pratt
Uhuru’s elder sister has served as the Chairperson of the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) since 2002 when she was first appointed by then President Daniel arap Moi.
Apart from her government job, Kristina has privately done a lot of charity work for the disabled in Kenya and also serves as an ambassador for the visually impaired.
2. Jomo Gecaga
The son to Uhuru’s sister Jeni Gecaga is one of the most powerful government officials, serving as the President’s private secretary.
3. Nana Gecaga
Another of Uhuru’s nice and Jomo’s younger sister, Nana is the CEO of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
She was appointed to the position in December 2016 by Tourism CS Najib Balala.
4. Ruth Ngobi
She is the mother to Fiona Ngobi – wife to the President’s eldest son Jomo.
The mother to Uhuru’s daughter in law serves as a director of the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) which is mandated with the task of overseeing all public procurement processes.
5. Raycheal Omamo
Also a relative of the President through marriage. She is a sister to Ruth Ngobi and has served as Uhuru’s Cabinet Secretary in the sensitive Defence Ministry. 6. Ambassador Catherine Mwangi
She is the President’s first cousin and daughter to James Muigai – Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s only brother.
She serves as Kenya’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, and the Republic of Djibouti.
Catherine is also the Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU), Inter-Government Authority on Development (IGAD) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
7. Beth Mugo
Catherine’s elder sister and another of Uhuru’s first cousin.
She is a Senator nominated by the President’s Jubilee Party.
8. Stephanie Ngonyo Muigai
The President’s niece is a senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she serves First Secretary.
This article was first published at www.pulselive.co.ke
