Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Kenya’s embattled President William Ruto on Friday 19, July 2024 named a partial new cabinet as part of his initiative to establish a “broad-based” government.
President Ruto unveiled the first group of Cabinet Secretaries, replacing those recently dismissed, in a significant announcement made on July 11, 2024, as he seeks to contain the worst crisis of his nearly two-year presidency.
This decision comes after a month marked by widespread and occasionally violent protests anti-government protests led by the country’s youth popularly known as the Gen Z.
“Upon reflection, listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have said and after a holistic appraisal of the performance of my Cabinet and its achievements and challenges, I have, in line with the powers given to me by Article 152(1) and 152(5)(b) of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Office of the Attorney-General Act, decided to dismiss with immediate effect all the Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney-General from the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya except the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,” Ruto said.
In a press briefing at State House on Friday 19, July 2024, President Ruto revealed that the 11 nominees, including the Attorney General, were selected after extensive consultations across the political spectrum. This effort aims to restore peace and stability in the country.
Notably, the list of nominations includes six former Cabinet Secretaries who have been reassigned to new ministries.
“I gave the nation my undertaking to reflect at length on this issues that have been brought into sharp focus by the people of Kenya and also promised to consult widely on the way forward and craft a broad based government that would Hannes the enormous potential of our country to turbo charge our economic transformation and to provide for inclusive growth,“ President Ruto indicated while making the announcement.
Among the new appointments, Mlongo Barasa has been named as the Minister of Health. Andrew Mwihia has been appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, while Eric Muriithi takes on the role of Minister for Water.
Julius Ogamba, who was Machogu’s running mate in the Kisii gubernatorial race, has been assigned to oversee the Ministry of Education.
Additionally, President Ruto has brought back familiar faces to critical roles: Kithure Kindiki will continue as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Aden Duale returns to lead the Ministry of Defense, and Alice Wahome resumes her position as the Minister for Housing.
Also Read: William Ruto bows to protestors’ demands, makes major concessions
Meanwhile, Davis Chirchir, previously the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
Below is the list of the 11 CSs and their designations in Mr. Ruto’s new cabinet:
- Ministry of the Interior and National Administration – Prof. Kithure Kindiki
- Ministry of Health – Dr. Debra Mulonga Barasa
- Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development – Alice Wahome
- Ministry of Education – Julius Migosi Ogamba
- Ministry of Defence – Aden Barre Duale
- Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development – Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja
- Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry – Roselinda Soipan Tuiya
- Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation – Eric Muriithi Muuga
- Ministry of Roads and Transport – Davis Chirchir
- Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy – Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u
- Attorney-General – Rebecca Miano
“I am continuing to undertake consultations across the political divide on the balance of Cabinet that I will appoint shortly. The consultations are at an advanced stage and internal processes in various sectors are underway to facilitate my appointment of the balance of this Cabinet,” said President Ruto.
“Additionally, I will be issuing next week a clear roadmap on the assignment that the new Cabinet is going to have, with clear timelines and deliverables to harness the tremendous potential that exists in our nation and drive our country to greatness,” he added.
President Ruto is expected to unveil the second phase of his cabinet later, with the constitution providing for a maximum of 22 Cabinet Secretaries (CSs).
