Kenyans will be displeased to know that a majority of the nominees came from the Cabinet he dissolved on Thursday, July 11.
President William Ruto on Friday, July 19 named part one of his new-look Cabinet, consisting of 11 nominated Cabinet Secretaries. Part two will consist of 10 more, replacing the 21 he sacked almost a week ago.
The announcement, made during his address to the nation at State House, followed extensive consultations with political allies and opposition figures. However, Kenyans will be displeased to know that a majority of the nominees came from the Cabinet he dissolved on Thursday, July 11.
The Head of State retained six Cabinet Secretaries who served in the recently dismissed cabinet, following up from the shocker eight days ago when he retained only Musalia Mudavadi as the Prime and Foreign Affairs CS.
The six include; Kithure Kindiki (Ministry of Interior), Aden Duale (Ministry of Defence) Davis Chirchir (Ministry of Transport and Roads), Soipan Tuya (Ministry of Environment), and Alice Wahome (Lands and Public Works).
President William Ruto during a Cabinet meeting which was attended by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua and cabinet secretaries at State House, Nairobi on June 11, 2024. /PCS
Rebecca Miano who previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Trade has been nominated as the new Attorney General. Should she be approved, she will replace Justin Muturi, the former National Assembly Speaker and Attorney General, and make history as the country’s first female Attorney General.
“Further consultations are ongoing after which, I will announce more names in due course,” Ruto announced.
Ruto also indicated that he would be announcing a new direction for his new Cabinet expressing that his administration would be focusing on job creation, accountability, and debt management among others.
“We are enhancing, broadening and deepening the national economic turnaround Plan set out in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda to incorporate a wider range of ideas, programmes and interventions that will facilitate job creation, robust debt management, enhanced transparency and accountability in the use of public resources and enhanced domestic resource mobilisation, and optimise public expenditure,” he announced.
A recent survey released by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA), whose report was published on Thursday revealed that a majority of Kenyans wanted Kithure Kindiki, Eliud Owalo and Ezekiel Machogu to be recalled owing to their track record, more than 20 months after being appointed.
61 percent of respondents urged President Ruto to recall Kindiki, who was in charge of the Ministry of Interior while 48 percent want Owalo back, having run the Ministry of ICT. 23 percent wanted Machogu reappointed, having manned the Ministry of Education.
Only Kindiki, the one Kenyans wanted to be recalled the most, was actually recalled. Past surveys showed that he outperformed 20 of his previous colleagues, possibly the reason for the return.
The six will be expected to guide five new faces namely Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u (ICT), Debra Mulongo Baraza (Health), Julius Migos Ogamba (Education), Andrew Mwihia Karanja (Agriculture), and Eric Muriithi Muuga (Water) on the inner-workings of Ruto’s Cabinet…that is, should their nominations be approved by the National Assembly.
Aden Duale’s Reaction To Being Re-Nominated As Defence CS
I extend my deepest gratitude to H.E. President William Samoei Ruto for nominating me as Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Defence.Â
This nomination reflects the President’s and the Kenyan people’s profound trust and confidence in my ability to advance our nation’s agenda and more particularly the national security of our nation hence contribute to its greatness.
I’m ready and willing to present myself to the National Assembly’s relevant committee for vetting and public scrutiny. Quran (2:152): “So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” Thank you very much! Ahsante sana
