November 21, 2001: President Daniel Moi sets the pace for his succession by finally elevating to the Cabinet nominated MP Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and another Young Turk, Mr. Cyrus Jirongo. In a far-reaching reshuffle of his top team, he also sacked Rural Development Minister Francis Yekohanda Masakhalia, moved Mr. Chris Obure from foreign affairs to finance and sidelined former Finance Minister Chris Okemo by making him joint Energy Minister with National Development Party leader Raila Odinga. Mr Marsden Madoka becomes Kenya’s new Foreign Affairs Minister – a dramatic promotion for the Kanu loyalist who was internal security minister in the Office of the President. Long serving Kanu general secretary Joseph Kamotho lost the powerful portfolio of Local Government to Uhuru Kenyatta, son of founding President Jomo Kenyatta, whose political star is rising by the day. Uhuru Kenyatta (right) is given a big hug on his appointment as Local Government Minister by Councillor Josiah Magut, mayor of Eldoret in November 2001.

Photo|Nation Syndication