President William Ruto swore in 19 Cabinet Secretaries on Thursday morning, August 8, at the State House. This swearing-in ceremony marks a pivotal moment in President Ruto’s tenure, reinforcing his vision for a broad-based government aligned with the nation’s needs and aspirations.
The Appointment Process
President Ruto officially gazetted the appointments of the 19 CSs, exercising his powers under Article 152 (2) of the Constitution. This article grants the head of state the authority to nominate and appoint Cabinet Secretaries following the National Assembly’s approval. The National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments conducted a thorough vetting exercise over four days to ensure the nominees were fit to hold office. The Committee’s report, tabled before Parliament, approved all the nominees except for the Gender CS nominee, Soi Langat.
Approved Cabinet Secretaries
The following Cabinet Secretaries received the Committee’s approval and have now been sworn in to their respective dockets:
- Kithure Kindiki (Interior)
- Soipan Tuya (Defence)
- Aden Duale (Environment)
- Davis Chirchir (Transport)
- Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports)
- Rebecca Miano (Tourism)
- Alfred Mutua (Labour)
- Justin Muturi (Public Service)
- Hassan Ali Joho (Mining and Blue Economy)
- John Mbadi (Treasury)
- Opiyo Wandayi (Energy)
- Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs)
- Eric Muuga (Water)
- Alice Wahome (Lands)
- Debra Barasa (Health)
- Andrew Karanja (Agriculture)
- Salim Mvurya (Trade)
- Julius Ogamba (Education)
- Margaret Nyambura (ICT)
The Rejected Nominee: Soi Langat
Soi Langat, the nominee for the Gender docket, was the only one not approved by the Committee. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah presented the Committee’s findings, highlighting Langat’s lack of adequate knowledge regarding her nominated docket. Despite her extensive experience as a career civil servant, Langat failed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of key issues related to the Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Ministry.
“Stella Soi Langat is a career civil servant who has extensive experience in public service but did not demonstrate an adequate understanding of the Gender docket to which she has been nominated and the committee saw her unsuitable for appointment to that docket,” Ichung’wah stated.
Future Vetting
The vetting process is not yet complete. The nominees for the East African Community Affairs (EAC) and Attorney General positions, Beatrice Askul Moe and Dorcas Oduor respectively, are scheduled for vetting on Friday, August 9. Their approval will be crucial in rounding out President Ruto’s Cabinet.
Implications for President Ruto’s Administration
The swearing-in of these Cabinet Secretaries is a strategic step for President Ruto’s administration, aimed at driving his agenda forward. The diverse backgrounds and expertise of the appointees reflect a deliberate effort to address various national challenges. Each CS will play a critical role in shaping policies and executing plans within their respective dockets, aligning with the administration’s broader objectives.
Conclusion
The inauguration of the 19 Cabinet Secretaries at State House signifies a new chapter in Kenya’s governance under President Ruto. With the vetting process for the remaining nominees underway, the administration is poised to embark on its mandate with a team of capable leaders ready to steer the country towards growth and development. As the new CSs assume their roles, the nation watches with anticipation, hoping for a transformative impact across all sectors of government.
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