On September 27, 2022, the freshest Kenyan president Ruto named his cabinet secretaries. The unveiling of this list was one of the most anticipated things in the new regimen. It means that these are the people who fits in Ruto’s manifesto and with whom the will achieve Kenya’s promises.
While Ruto during his campaigns had promised 50/50 gender representation in his cabinet, he only achieved 31% for women and 69% for men. Therefore, he named 17 women out of the total cabinet secretaries as shown below.
Names of Secretaries V. Their Predecessors
Prime Cabinest Secretary – Musalia Mudavadi. Ruto created this new office that will be run by the next highest person in Kenyan power after the president and his deputy. Mudavadi aka (maDVD) as called by the KoT was the seventh deputy president in 2002 and deputy prime minister during the half-bread Kibaki regime.
Kithure Kindiki – Interior Secretary. Kindiki is replacing former CS Matiang’i. Kithure Kindiki is a lawyer who led Ruto’s defense in the presidential results appeal in August 2022.
Aden Duale – Defense. Duale is replacing Monica Juma. Aden Duale is the former leader of majority in the national assembly. Duale is also Garrisa member of parliament.
Njuguna Ndung’u – National Treasury. Ndung’u is replacing Ukur Yattani. Ndung’u is a Kenyan economist and economic researcher, a university professor, and was the 8th Governor of Central Ban of Kenya. Ruto is banking on Njuguna to revive the Kenyan crumbling economy.
Susan Wafula – Health. Susan is replacing Mutahi Kagwe . According to NTV, Susan had a PHD in business management, logistics, and chain supply. She also has an extensive experience working with USAID and UCSF. Susan also has qualifications in procurement in HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and TB medication. In other words, Susan is given mandates in her rightful field of expertise.
Penina Malonza – Tourism. She is replacing Najib Balala. Penina served as a deputy governor of Kitui County between 2013 and 2017. She was also a growth county director at compassion NGO that provides help to vulnerable pupils in Kitui. Penina is expected to revive the tourism industry which was highly affected by COVID19.
Aisha Jumwa – Public Service and Gender. Jumwa is replacing Prof. Margret Kobia. Aisha has a certificate in county governance and is the former Malindin MP in 2017. Jumwa also served as a commissioner in Kenyan parliament.
Alice Wahome – Water, Sanitation & Irrigation. She is replacing Sicily Kanini Kariuki. Wahome is a former Kandara MP of 2017. She is also a University of Nairobi lawyer.
Alfred Mutua – Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. Mutua is replacing Raychelle Omamo. Mutua is the former Machakos governor who served between 2013 and 2017. He was the Kenyan government spokesperson in 2012 but resigned to seek governorship in Machakos and succeeded.
Moses Kuria – Trade Investment and Industry. Replacing Betty Maina. Moses Kuria is the former MP Gatundu. Kuria is currently pursuing bachelor of laws in the university of Nairobi. He is also has a degree in bachelor of commerce, finance, and accounting.
Rebecca Miano – East African Community. She is replacing Ezéchiel Nibigira . Rebecca was the first female managing director and chief executive officer at KenGen. She has a law degree from UON and comparative law from Australia. Rebecca is also the founding patron at the pink energy initiative launched in 2016.
Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen – Roads and Infrastructure. He is replacing James Macharia. Murkomen is the former leader of majority in the senate assembly. He is also a lawyer and a lead lawyer in Ruto’s defense in presidential appeal in 2022. Murkomen was the senator for Elgeyo-Marakwet County in 2013.
Zacharia Mwangi Njeru – Lands and Physical Planning. He is replacing Farida Karoney. Zacharia is a former ward administrator in Nakuru. Very little of Mwangi is known but sources confirm that he also sued to sell insurance covers.
Mithika Linturi – Agriculture. Linturi is replacing Peter Munya. He is the former representative senator of Meru 2017-2022.
Ezekiel Machogu – Education. He is replacing George Magoha. Machogu is a former MP for Ombaki, Kisii County. The lad was also once a DC. He also has a degree in bachelor of arts from UON.
Davis Chirchir – Petroleum and Energy. He is replacing Monica Juma. He was the CS in this ministry in 2013. He simply has the experience needed.
Ababu Namwamba – Sports. Replacing Amina Mohamed. Namwamba is an international lawyer and former Budalangi MP.
Simon Chelugui – Cooperatives and MSMEs. He was the former CS for labor and before that for water and sanitation.
Salim Mvurya – Mining. Replacing John Munyes. Salim was the first governor of Kwale County. He has a degree in Agri-business management.
Florence Bore – Labour. She is replacing Simon Kiprono Chelugui. She vied for Kericho women rep in 2022 but lost.
Eliud Owalo – Communication. Eliud is replacing Joe Mucheru. Eliud is an experienced economist, managment consultant, and strategy expert.
Roselinda Soipan Tuya – Environment and Forestry. Replacing Mr. Keriako Tobiko. She is a former MP of Narok County. She also served as women rep in the same county.
Justin Muturi – Attorney General. He is replacing Paul Kihara Kariuki. Muturi is the former speaker of the national assembly 2017. He was once the MP for Now Mbeere North.
Monica Juma – National Security Adviser. Replacing Ajit Doval. Monica is a national diplomat and a former CS for energy and petroleum. She has a certificate in refugee studies and a doctorate in philosophy.
Mercy Wanjau – Seretary to the Cabinet. She is replacing Fred Matiangi, who was acting for Joseph Nkaiseri after his death. Mercy is an experienced suite legal and regulatory professional. She is the former director of the communications authority of Kenya.
These secretaries are expected to closely work with Ruto and Gachagua towards implementing UDA manifesto. According to William Ruto, he replaced most of the CSs because they accepted to be wrongly used by former boss, Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ruto announced to have received and accepted resignation letters from police boss Hillary Mutyambai and CID boss Kinoti. Hillary went on a terminal leave while he only remained with six months to his retirement. Kinoti is said to have been used against Ruto and his allies, hence would have been replaced either way.
