Hours after the government announced several appointments to various positions in two agencies on Monday, Kenyans online took to their social media to criticise some of Uhuru’s appointments over what they said lacked merit.
Despite the President appointing eight nominees to the State Corporations Advisory Committee, it was, however, Labour Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani’s choice to pick former Othaya Member of Parliament Mary Wambui to the position of chairperson for the National Employment Authority (NEA) that annoyed most Kenyans.
Kenyans, together with a section of politicians who took to their social media sites claimed Wambui’s appointment was not in order considering her age and the rate of unemployment among young Kenyans.
Many also questioned Wambui’s ability to deliver with others claiming she had failed in her former legislative position.
Many castigated Wambui saying she had no ideas on the struggles of degree holders as she was rich, connected and out of touch with the reality.
#DearUhuruKenyatta how do you expect Mary Wambui to implement this @nea_kenya mission?
This is a big joke. pic.twitter.com/7LnefQu5Sj
— Kenya National Union of Engineers (@KNUE_Official) October 15, 2019
Jubilee’s nominated Senator Millicent Omanga described tWambui’s appointment as an insult to the Kenyan youths.
“The Appointment of ex Othaya MP Mary Wambui to head National Employment Authority is a spat on the face of the Kenyan youth,” read part of her Facebook statement
“You can’t convince me that someone who is intellectually ungifted and has limited knowledge on the intricate challenges unemployed graduates are grappling with will be in a position to craft strategies and policy formulations to help eradicate unemployment in this country,” stated Omanga
The same frustration was raised by former Presidential candidate Mwalimu Abduba Dida who faulted the government saying it had failed on its promises to secure jobs for the young generation.
He termed the appointment as shocking, saying it showed the government’s “consistency and dedication towards failure.”
So former MP Mary Wambui has been appointed to head Kenya National Employment Authority! When you think you've seen it all and nothing can surprise you anymore, the government pulls another one! The consistency and dedication towards failure by this government is just shocking.
— #TeamMwalimuDida (@mwalimu_dida) October 14, 2019
Here are some of the reactions from Twitter;
This is the interview that led Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint Mary Wambui as the chairperson of the National Employment Authority. Congratulations to fellow youth Mary Wambui.
May the light be with you, I hope you don't 'divide' the light pic.twitter.com/RVx3EXizXi
— Corruption Tracker (@TrackTheCorrupt) October 14, 2019
Mary Wambui cannot even construct a simple sentence in English but has been made the Chairperson of Employment Authority of Kenya… How will she chair the board meetings? #DearUhuruKenyatta pic.twitter.com/ObxNoSwVh7
— MUHAMMAD ONYANGO® (@Moha001_Onyango) October 15, 2019
#DearUhuruKenyatta these are the youth you have employed so far:
1. Moody Awori – 91
2. Francis Muthaura – 71
3. Chris Obure – 75
4. Matu Wamae – 79
5. Beth Mugo – 79
6. Musikari Kombo – 74
7. David Musila – 75
8. Marsden Madoka – 75
9. Esther Murugi – 65
10. Mary Wambui – 69— Victor Mochere (@VictorMochere) October 15, 2019
Someone said Mary Wambui is approaching her second menopause and I lost all the ability to can.
You can't be insulting fellow youths.#DearUhuruKenyatta
— THE INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE! (@allen_arnold) October 15, 2019
Politicians are very shameless. Wait till Mashujaa day and see a grown up man saying how the govt is committed to creating jobs for youths after appointing Mary Wambui as the chair of National Employment Authority.
To top it, he'll sing his favourite song "I'll fight corruption"— THE INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE! (@allen_arnold) October 14, 2019
Congratulations Mary Wambui on your appointment, National Employment Authority is indeed our employer🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/JMonvvOlWG
— Walter 🇰🇪 (@i_ngenowalter) October 14, 2019
The appointment of Mary wambui to the National Employment Authority is a sick joke!
Im jobless,broke encased with shattered dreams in my mind n u go ahead and appoint a millionaire to get more rich?
And when we jump off rooftops ur here asking stupid questions! pic.twitter.com/UcKoo6aaK7— ping pong official 🇰🇪 (@pauliddiali) October 14, 2019