The former minister revealed that Kenyan women were waiting with eagerness to have a woman chosen for the second-in-command role
Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has sympathised with Kenyan women across the country who were hoping for President William Ruto to choose a woman to be the next Deputy President of Kenya following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking in Bungoma County at the burial of Governor Kenneth Lusaka’s mother on Friday, the former minister revealed that Kenyan women were waiting with eagerness to have a woman chosen for the second-in-command role for the first time in the country’s history, but it was not to be.
However, she urged Kenyans to be patient and have faith, and eventually, not only will the current affairs of the country be peaceful but also their wishes granted.
“I bring my condolences from my family, and those from the people of Trans Nzoia as well as those for all women who were expecting that a female deputy president would be picked but the matter is behind us,” she revealed.
Former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha (left) meets President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on August 1, 2023. /PCS
“However, as I stand before you today, I’m pleading that we have a patient heart as Kenyans. So much is going on, but if we are patient in the Lord, things will be okay.”
During the same address, Nakhumicha lamented struggling to cope with the reality of losing her job after serving for about one and a half years as one of the most powerful government officials in Ruto’s administration.
Nakhumicha further added that due to the uniqueness of her name, most people still identified her as the Cabinet Secretary for Health. She noted that the situation made it hard for her to freely interact with people.
The former Health CS while admitting her current situation, went ahead to request that Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit include her in his prayers since she was grappling with immense challenges after her sudden dismissal from the government.
“Bishop pray for me, you know it is not easy to have been a minister then all of a sudden you are just Nakumicha, and you know my name is unique,” Nakhumicha lamented.
“When you say Nakhumicha, that name is distinct and associate it with the Health CS position. Please continue praying for me, God has blessed me and I still expect more blessings.”
The former Health CS was dismissed in July this year following the anti-government protests that rocked the country. Nakhumicha was sacked alongside other ministers after Kenyans expressed dissatisfaction with the government.
Kenya has never had a female deputy or vice president in her history, and following Gachagua’s impeachment, names such as Anne Waiguru and Gladys Wanga started being fronted before Ruto eventually settled on Kithure Kindiki. Parliament on Friday, October 18 approved the nomination of the former Interior CS by the Head of State and is currently a DP designate.
However, his planned swearing-in on October 19, which would have seen him assume the role officially, is in limbo following a notice issued by the High Court on Friday, October 18 that prompted the suspension of the event.
The Star had on Saturday reported that the expected swearing-in has been pushed to next week, with plans to have Kindiki take the oath of office having been at an advanced stage, as of Friday, before the halting. This means that the DP designate will have to wait until the orders are vacated, for the process to continue.
NTV reported that State House, following the suspension of the event, might move to court to challenge the High Court’s order stopping Rigathi Gachagua from being replaced.
President William Ruto and Prof. Kithure Kindiki at State House, Nairobi. /PCS