President William Ruto has officially sworn in Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku and Hanna Wendot Cheptumo as Cabinet Secretaries, marking a significant development in the ongoing reorganization of Kenya’s executive leadership.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at State House Nairobi, came just a day after their appointments were gazetted following unanimous approval by the National Assembly. The approval capped a swift vetting process conducted by the Committee on Appointments, which submitted its report to Parliament on Tuesday, April 15.
Ruku will now head the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Projects, succeeding Justin Muturi, who was recently relieved of his duties in a major cabinet shake-up. Cheptumo takes over the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage—a portfolio that has remained without a substantive leader since the dismissal of Aisha Jumwa, following the dissolution of the Cabinet on July 11, 2024.
During the vetting process, both nominees were praised for their grasp of sector-specific issues. The committee noted that Ruku had demonstrated a clear understanding of the administrative and technical challenges in his docket. Similarly, Cheptumo was recognized for her knowledge of key topical, administrative, and technical aspects relevant to her ministry.
In his remarks during the ceremony, President Ruto emphasized the importance of integrity, service delivery, and transformational leadership in the two strategic ministries. “Your duty is to serve Kenyans diligently and transparently. These ministries are at the heart of service delivery and social progress,” the President stated.
The appointments come at a crucial time as the government seeks to restore public trust and accelerate service delivery after months of cabinet uncertainty. Ruku and Cheptumo will be expected to bring renewed energy to their roles, aligning with President Ruto’s vision for a leaner, more accountable government.
Their swearing-in marks a new chapter in the administration’s effort to strengthen governance and ensure stability in public service and gender equality sectors. All eyes are now on the new CSs to deliver on their mandates in line with Kenya’s development goals.
