Gabriel Oguda, a well-known former critic of President William Ruto, is now a step closer to a high government position. Oguda, who serves as the personal assistant to Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, has been nominated for a Principal Secretary (PS) position.
In the past, Oguda did not hold back when it came to criticizing Ruto. He was loud about his opposition, even tweeting on X (formerly Twitter) that when Ruto dies, the country would celebrate.
His words made waves, and many saw him as one of the most outspoken critics of the government. But something changed after the deadly July 7 protests.
And for his troubles and rejection of the Finance Bill, Gabriel Oguda was even abducted and later released after his boss made some noise about the disappearance.
When did Gabriel Oguda Cozy up to the Government?
In the aftermath, President Ruto reshuffled his cabinet, appointing ODM member Opiyo Wandayi as the Energy CS.
Since then, Oguda’s tone has softened. His shift from fierce critic to a more accommodating figure has not gone unnoticed.
Now, Oguda’s cozying up to the government is about to bear fruit. The Public Service Commission (PSC) recently released a list of 109 nominees for various PS positions, and Oguda is among them.
Out of over 2,500 applicants, his name stands out, signaling a significant turn in his political journey. This nomination could soon see Oguda transition from an outspoken critic to a key government player.
He was nominated alongside several other prominent figures, including former Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu and former KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion.
The PSC is set to vet all the nominees, and once that process is complete, the list will be forwarded to President Ruto for final approval.
It will be interesting to see how this new chapter in Gabriel Oguda’s political life unfolds and how his relationship with the government will evolve.
By Vivian K.