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President William Ruto has made new nominations to his Cabinet and reshuffled two Ministries. According to a statement by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, the changes are part of efforts to strengthen the government’s top leadership and enhance service delivery.
New Nominations
Ms Hanna Wendot Cheptumo has been nominated to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts & Heritage. Hanna is the widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo who died in February.
Hon. Geoffrey K. Kiringa Ruku has been picked for the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development & Special Programmes. He will replace Justin Muturi, who has fallen out with President Ruto.
Geoffrey Ruku has been serving as the Member of Parliament for Mbeere North.
According to Koskei, the two nominees bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from their careers, as well as "wisdom accumulated from their inspiring and diverse life journeys."
Portfolio Reassignments
President Ruto also made strategic reassignments within the Cabinet. Hon. Aden Bare Duale, previously serving in Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, has been reassigned to lead the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa will now head the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry.
The statement, signed by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix K. Koskei, concluded by congratulating the nominees and expressing the President's confidence in their capacity to serve the country.
Ruto wished them well as they undergo the necessary parliamentary vetting process in accordance with constitutional requirements.
The nominations and reassignments mark the latest in a series of executive actions aimed at refining the President’s inner circle and improving the delivery of key government functions.
This comes just days after President Ruto made changes in PS positions and diplomatic postings.
Following approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC), the President made the following significant changes:
Mr. Amos Gathecha – Promoted from Principal Secretary for Public Service to Deputy Head of the Public Service within the Executive Office of the President.
Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani – Appointed as Senior Advisor and Member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.
New Nominations for Principal Secretaries
In line with Article 155(3) of the Constitution, the President nominated the following individuals for appointment as Principal Secretaries:
Dr. Jane Kare Imbunya – State Department for Public Service & Human Capital Development (Ministry of Public Service).
Ms. Regina Akoth Ombam – State Department for Trade (Ministry of Investments, Trade & Industry).
Mr. Cyrell Wagunda Odede – State Department for Public Investments & Assets Management (National Treasury & Economic Planning).
Dr. Caroline Wanjiru Karugu – State Department for East African Community Affairs (Ministry of EAC & Regional Development).
Dr. Oluga Fredrick Ouma – State Department for Medical Services (Ministry of Health).
Mr. Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim – State Department for National Government Coordination (Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary).
Ms. Judith Nyair Pareno – Justice, Human Rights & Constitutional Affairs (Office of the Attorney General).
Dr. Bonface Makokha – State Department for Economic Planning (National Treasury & Economic Planning).
Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat – State Department for Science, Research & Innovation (Ministry of Education).
Mr. Stephen Isaboke – State Department for Broadcasting & Telecommunications (Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy).
Mr. Michael Lenasalon – State Department for Devolution (Office of the Deputy President).
Mr. Fikirini Katoi Kahindi Jacobs – State Department for Youth Affairs (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports).
CPA Carren Ageng’o Achieng – State Department for Children Welfare Services (Ministry of Labour & Social Protection).
Mr. Aden Abdi Millah – State Department for Shipping & Maritime Affairs (Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy & Maritime Affairs).
Reassignments of Principal Secretaries
Under Article 155(4) of the Constitution, the following Principal Secretaries were reassigned to different portfolios:
Prof. Julius Bitok – State Department for Basic Education (Ministry of Education).
Ms. Teresiah Mbaika – State Department for Aviation & Aerospace Development (Ministry of Roads & Transport).
Mr. Ismael Madey – State Department for Special Programmes (Ministry of Public Service & Human Capital Development).
Mr. Harry Kimtai – State Department for Mining (Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy & Maritime Affairs).
Mr. Elijah Mwangi – State Department for Sports (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports).
Dr. Belio Kipsang – State Department for Immigration & Citizen Services (Ministry of Interior & National Administration).
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New Appointments in Foreign Service
Under Article 132(2)(e) of the Constitution, the President nominated new Ambassadors, Consuls-General, and Deputy Heads of Mission in Kenya’s foreign embassies:
Susan Nakhumicha Wafula – Permanent Representative to UN-Habitat, Nairobi.
Mr. James Buyekane Muhati – Consul-General in Guangzhou, China.
Mr. Abdi Dubat Fidhow – Consul-General in Arusha, Tanzania.
Eng. Peter Tum – Ambassador to Kinshasa, DRC.
Mr. Alfred Ombudo K’Ombundo – Deputy Head of Mission in Brussels, Belgium.
Mr. Geoffrey Eyanane Kaituko – Deputy Head of Mission in Rome, Italy.
Next Steps
The National Assembly will now review the new PS nominations and foreign service postings for consideration and approval, as required by the constitution.