Mr Mudavadi was promised the role when he and his Ford-Kenya colleague Moses Wetang’ula spurned the Azimio la Umoja coalition of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and crossed over to Dr Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance.

The payoff for delivering the western Kenya vote was the role of Prime CS, a Prime Minister in all but name, for Mr Mudavadi, and National Assembly Speaker for Mr Wetang’ulaIt was reported at the time that the agreement was contingent on the two winning for Dr Ruto 70 percent of a vote that has traditionally gone to Mr Odinga.

Far short of target

They delivered far short of the target, so maybe they needed to remind Dr Ruto that the pact still holds.

It is worth noting, however, that Mr Wetang’ula achieved far much more in swinging votes Dr Ruto’s way in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, than Mr Mudavadi, the presumed senior partner, managed in Kakamega and Vihiga countThere are many others expecting rewards for having stood with Dr Ruto since his break with President Uhuru Kenyatta. They include politicians who backed his campaign and extracted promises of government roles, key allies from way past, and technocrats who crafted campaign strategies and position papers.

Having embarked on having the majority in the Senate and National Assembly, Dr Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua will soon be retreating to come up with a Cabinet.

While some are angling for Cabinet slots, others in the inner-circle are eyeing principal secretary jobs and there are those who will find themselves in the corridors of State House, the Office of the President and many other strategic institutionMany others positions’

Dr Ruto, however, on Tuesday seemed to be deliberately moving to manage the expectations of the large number of people who were eyeing ministerial slots, saying that there are many others positions in which one can serve.

The constitution limits Cabinet secretaries to 22, but already, those being mentioned as likely nominees exceed that number. Dr Ruto also promised 50 percent of the slots to women, and so far, there are a handful on the radar.

Taken together with Western Kenya leaders’ demand for a third of the slots, and a similar demand by leaders from Mt Kenya, who expect a significant piece of the pie, saying the region contributed 42 per cent of Dr Ruto’s total votes, the delicate balancing act for the President-elect is clear.

Criteria

Sources close to the President-elect Tuesday told the Nation that he is looking at the profession, experience, competence and integrity as the criteria for picking his Cabinet.

Among those eyeing Cabinet slots is former Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok, who served as director-general of Dr Ruto’s presidential campaign.

Outgoing Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, who lost out to Mr Gachagua for the running mate position, is an almost sure bet. He is the custodian of the Kenya Kwanza agreement and was also Dr Ruto’s chief presidential election agent.

Former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya is also likely to find himself in the Cabinet, especially since Dr Ruto once mentioned him as a coalition principal.

Angling for top seats

Outgoing National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and outgoing Chief Administrative Secretary Ababu Namwamba, who headed Dr Ruto’s presidential campaign’s international relations wing, are also angling fDr Mutua, the Maendeleo Chap Chap leader, on May 15 disclosed that after ditching Mr Odinga, he was promised a deputy slot under Mr Mudavadi.

“Dr Ruto offered me the deputy chief minister position with a ministerial portfolio in Infrastructure Development,” he claimed.

It is not clear if the offer was backed by a written agreement deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties as was the deal with Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wetang’ula, but it is an indication that Dr Ruto intends to retain the office of Cabinet Administrative Secretary, controversially created by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Chief of Staff

Former Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, who is the chief of staff in the Office of the Deputy President and the chief executive of Dr Ruto’s presidential campaign, is expected to be State House Chief of Staff as well as the Head of Public Service.

Mr Muturi and Mr Chirchir are among Dr Ruto’s representatives in the Assumption of the Office of the President Committee.

Dr Ruto’s aide, Augustine Cheruiyot, who was the secretary in all of Dr Ruto’s presidential campaign formations, is likely to be State House Comptroller.

Policy wonk Dr Lindah Musumba, who has been the head of legal in the Dr Ruto’s Presidential Campaign Steering Council, is eyeing the Solicitor-General post.

Following the UDA primaries in April, those who were disgruntled by the outcome and wanted to vie as independents were urged to shelve their ambitions on the promise of state jobs.

Peris Tobiko

While campaigning in Narok and Kajiado counties in mid-June, Dr Ruto publicly said Ms Peris Tobiko, who lost to Katoo Ole Metito in the UDA governor nominations, and Narok Woman Rep Soipan Tuya, who agreed to step down in favour of Mr Patrick Ntutu in the gubernatorial race, could get a slot in his Cabinet.or top seats.s.ies..