Duale confirmed on his X account on Tuesday, July 23, expressing his appreciation to the Head of State.
In a surprise move, President William Ruto has allocated new responsibilities to Cabinet Secretary nominees, moving Aden Duale away from the Ministry of Defence and handing the docket to Soipan Tuya instead.
Duale confirmed on his social media accounts on Tuesday, July 23, expressing his appreciation to the Head of State.
“I am grateful to President William Ruto for reassigning me from the Defence Ministry to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry. I look forward to serving in my new portfolio and ensuring the focus is on sustainable environmental management, combating climate change, and promoting reforestation and conservation efforts,” he wrote in part.
Side by side images of Cabinet Secretary nominees Soipan Tuya (left) and Aden Duale (right). /SOIPAN TUYA.ADEN DUALE
“Indeed, ‘And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows, but you do not know.’ – Quran 2:216.”
The changes were also communicated by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula in Ruto’s submission to Parliament when sessions resumed on Tuesday.
Wetang’ula thereafter referred the letter from President Ruto to the Committee of Appointments which he indicated they would have 28 days to submit their report to the House to enable the MPs to consider the nominees.
The President’s attempt to overhaul his team comes amid mounting criticism and pressure from various sectors, including youth groups, church leaders, and civil society organisations.
This cabinet realignment follows the unveiling of Ruto’s initial list of nominated Cabinet Secretaries on Friday, July 19. The proposed appointments had already stirred controversy, with many critics accusing Ruto of lacking genuine reform and continuing to favour established figures over new, invigorating voices.
On Friday, July 19, Ruto, while unveiling a list of 11 Cabinet nominees, added that he would announce more nominees later on.
However, a majority of the nominees consisted of those who were retained from the disbanded Cabinet and included Kithure Kindiki (Ministry of Interior), Duale, Davis Chirchir (Ministry of Transport and Roads), Tuya and Alice Wahome (Lands and Public Works), with Rebecca Miano, a former Trade CS, nominated as Attorney General.
Meanwhile, Wetangula has assured that all the CS nominees, including those recalled, will be subjected to vetting by the National Assembly.
National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula during a past House session. /FILE