"You will not be anywhere near Kenya Kwanza gov't" - Miguna, Senator Cherargei slam CS Balala

Canada-based Kenyan lawyer Miguna Miguna on Saturday launched a scathing attack against Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

Miguna is of the opinion that President-elect William Ruto should not retain CS Balala when he forms his government after his inauguration on the 13th of September 2022.

"To my friend Najib Balala, you are NOT the only Kenyan who was born to serve as cabinet secretary for tourism. You have held that position for more than 15 years. That's enough. Move on. Retire. Find something else to do. There are 35 million UNEMPLOYED KENYANS," Miguna said in a Tweet.

In another Tweet on Saturday morning, Miguna quoted a video in which Balala is heard castigating a section of politicians allied to Ruto, whom he said was hell-bent on controlling his docket.

In the video - flanked by Environment CS Keriako Tobiko and outgoing Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho - Balala categorically states that he is answerable to President Uhuru Kenyatta and not anyone else.

"My friend Najib Balala: This [referring to the video] was just months ago. Your buddy to the right - Keriako Tobiko - called President William Ruto a "mere clerk." You told William Ruto "to go to hell." …Hassan Joho called William Ruto names we cannot repeat. Did you think that we forgot?" posed Miguna.

Balala: I'm ready to serve

Speaking while he was releasing a report on the performance of Kenya’s tourism sector between January and August, Balala said that he was ready to serve in Ruto's government if appointed, "to finish the reforms he initiated in the tourism sector."

Balala was among the few current Cabinet Secretaries who congratulated Ruto on his election win on August 9 2022, with Kenyans interpreting this to the CS strategically applying for a job in the new administration that comes into place on Tuesday, September 13.

"I know by Tuesday we will cease being ministers because Uhuru’s government will cease on Tuesday and Ruto’s government will start and that is the time when we might be called to stay until the new appointees take over or we will be told to go home and wait to hand over," Balala said.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is of the same opinion as Miguna. The close President-elect Ruto ally accuses Balala of being incompetent, insisting that he will be nowhere near the new government.

"CS Balala, when 10 rhinos died mysteriously he insulted Kenyans & went to bed with despots when HE Ruto was being humiliated he shall Not be anywhere near Kenya kwanza govt. Retire with uhuru peacefully you have served 15years & tourism sector plummeted!" He says.