Ok. Maybe the title was a bit harsh. Let’s just call them media shy for now.

However my argument stems from the fact that leadership in Africa almost always works best with some form of visual effect. We love seeing our leaders…that’s why we line up during political road shows to greet them every time they show up.

We are not by any chance saying they are not working. No. They could actually be the best performing cabinet secretaries in Government. But to us, a leader should not just work but he/she must also be seen to be working. Education CS Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi’s is one of the most popular cabinet secretaries we have thanks to the incessant wrangles with the teachers; but truth be told, there’s massive value in terms of publicity that he has gained from it. The public gets to see him on screen everyday and the perception is that at least he is working. The wrangles may, in the end, cost him his job given the impeachment motion against him before parliament…but these people have a way of surviving that.

The individuals on the list below however appear to be the most blasé CSs appointed by Uhuru Kenyatta…media shy almost to the point of boredom.

I bet no one would ever realize if any of them walked into a smoky chips kuku joint for a quick bite.

1. Henry Rotich

Despite running the entire government by virtue of managing all funds through Treasury, Rotich remains too aloof and distant from the common man. Previous Finance ministers including his current boss Uhuru Kenyatta always found it useful to constantly reassure the public that the state coffers were worth some level of confidence however thoroughly depleted…not Rotich. I need to keep checking who’s in charge of Treasury every time we get to this time of the year.

2. Raychelle Omamo

The last time I heard her speak was when she was sworn into office. That interesting accent was something we really looked forward to enjoying more. However years later we still can’t spell her name right; proof of how rarely we get to write about her. Kenya Defense Forces are undoubtedly among the most colorful in Africa. We do understand that she is not a military officer; however she would have done herself a favor and used the KDF wave in Somalia to propel her into earning some precious public affection.

3. Phylis Kandie

Heck! People still think Najib Balala is in charge of tourism. That says a lot about the current CS in charge of East Africa Affairs, Commerce, and Tourism.  A common East African Market, talks of a common currency talks, reduced border restrictions. Come on! What else do you need for us to sing your name constantly? But No! No one has a clue what you do. Perhaps the MPs were on to something…I recall they needed quite some convincing just to approve her appointment. She must have bored them stiff.

4. Adan Mohamed

You should have seen the excitement when this former Barclays bank manager was hired into government. Oh! It was like having a breath of fresh air after you leave a city council toilet after a nasty bout of diarrhea. Then we never saw him again…ever.  I know I have to remind you that he is in charge of Industrialization…how mind-numbing.

5. Felix Koskei

Agriculture is the backbone of our economy…bla bla bla! Boooring! We are trying to get young Kenyans to embrace farming. You just killed that dream. I bet very few would be able to pick him out from a crowd. Be honest.

6. Davis Chirchir

No energy at all…Oh! He is actually in charge of the energy ministry. This fine gentleman is so lackluster that he was suspended then re-hired and no one even cared to know why.

                                                                                          File photos courtesy of The Star