The mainstream media has been awash with reports that Transport PS Esther Koimett is one of the favourites to replace embattled Treasury CS Henry Rotich.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to make changes in his Cabinet after Rotich and his PS Kamau Thugge were charged with corruption-related cases on Tuesday and Uhuru will definitely ask them to step aside until their cases are determined.
Uhuru has some tough choices to make if he has to satisfy the warring Jubilee factions of Kieleweke and Tanga Tanga. Koimett comes from Elgeyo Marakwet, the same region as Rotich and is therefore viewed as a like for like replacement. She is also the daughter of the late powerful Cabinet Minister Nicholas Biwott meaning she has political goodwill.
She also has more than 25 years experience working in the Finance Ministry, she has the technical know-how of executing her duties really well.
But who is Esther Koimett? How is her relationship with Deputy President William Ruto considering the fact that they both come from the same geographical location?
In the past, the DP had not been relating well with Koimett, and her late Nicholas Biwott over political differences. Koimett, just like her late father has been a KANU die-hard supporter and that is the reason she has not been close to Ruto. Koimett has however steered off politics although some people believe she is closer to Gideon Moi than Ruto.
Despite the differences, Ruto wants a Kalenjin to take over from Rotich as one way of assuring the Kalenjin nation that he still wields immense power.
If Uhuru fails to appoint Koimett, Ruto will suffer huge embarrassment which will expose him as a weakling in the corridors of power.
During the burial of the late Mark Too in January 2017, Biwott who had declared his support for Ruto left many in stitches after he humorously warned Ruto of involving himself in petty politics.
“Avoid this ukora ndogo ndogo (trivial antics),” said Biwott at the burial. “You are up there, you should leave to us to decide on who to elect as Governors and MPs. Don’t pay any attention. As long as the President is here and the bishops are here to pray for us, what is the problem?” he told Ruto amid laughter.