UDA-led Ruto Administration yesterday unveiled a list of 21 cabinet ministries that president William Ruto intends to nominate to parliament. All the cabinet ministers, of course, have to be vetted and confirmed by the National Assembly before they assume duty.
Below is a list of all cabinet secretaries that the president has nominated to parliament for vetting:
1. Kithure Kindiki (Interior).
Kithure Kindiki’s was the runners-up to president Ruto’s choice for a running mate. He was narrowly beated by Rigathi Gachagua who will now be the Deputy President. Kithure Kindiki’s place in the Ruto administration was not surprising as he has always been considered one of the staunch supporters of the Kenya Kwanza party. Mr. Kindiki brings a well decorated resume as a civil servant. Mr. Kindiki served as a senator for Tharaka Nithi county between 2013-2022.
2. Njuguna Ndung’u (National Treasury).
Before his appointment into the Ruto administration, Mr. Ndung’u served as an economist, a lecturer and the eighth governor of Central Bank of Kenya. President William Ruto has nominated him to be at the helm of the National Treasury. Njuguna Ndung’u was born in Lodwar and attended the University of Nairobi and Gothenburg University.
3. Musalia Mudavadi (Prime Cabinet Secretary).
Mr. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi is the leader of Amani National Congress (ANC) political party. His party entered into a coalition with the Ruto-led UDA party before the 2022 general elections were held. Now that their Kenya Kwanza has emerged victorious, it was William Ruto’s turn to fulfill his promise to the Western Kenya-based statesman. In that regard, William Ruto has obliged by nominating Mr. Mudavadi as the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Mr. Mudavadi brings to the table a very impressive resume as a civil servant. In fact, many will argue that Mr. Mudavadi’s service to Kenyans is on par to that of William Ruto’s before the latter became president. This is more so because Mr. Mudavadi served as the seventh vice-president of Kenya in 2002 during the Kibaki administration. He will go to serve as the Deputy Prime Minister in the nusu-mkate government that was formed after the deadly 2007-08 post election violence.
4. Aisha Jumwa (Public Service and Gender).
Nothing elicits defiance as a mention of the Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa. But does oratory skills and eloquence translates in to votes? Not really. Aisha Jumwa was very aggressive on the campaign trails. But her efforts of winning the Kilifi gubernatorial seat were quickly extinguished at the ballot by ODM’s Gideon Mung’aro.
Aisha Jumwa was born in Takaungu town in the former Coast Province, and attended Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He graduated in 2012. Ms Jumwa was the Women Representative for Kilifi County before she was elected as a Member of Parliament for Malindi constituency for the National Assembly.
Ms Jumwa’s nomination by the Ruto administration has attracted condemnation and criticism from the Azimio-led opposition. The latter points out that it was wrong to nominate candidates who are facing serious charges in court. This is because Aisha Jumwa has pending murder charges as she stands accuses of murdering Gumbao Jola in Ganda, Malindi Constituency in 2019.
Below is Aisha Jumwa’s twit thanking the Kenyan president for nominating her as the next Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service and Gender:
Thank you my President H.E Dr @WilliamsRuto for the nomination as Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Gender & Affirmative Action. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve under your stewardship & all Kenyans!
— Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana (@JumwaAisha) September 27, 2022
Mungu mbele. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/81rlvDZ53s
5. Aden Duale (Defence).
Aden Bare Duale was born in 1969 in Garissa County in the former North Eastern Province. Before President William Ruto nominated Mr. Duale as the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Duale served as the Majority Leader of the National Assembly.
Before the Majority leader role, Mr. Duale served as the Member of Parliament of the National Assembly. He was representing the Dujis Constituency in the former North Eastern Province during the Kibaki Administration. Mr. Duale is the true Tangatanga politician, as he switched from the ODM Party to Jubilee. He then switched from Jubilee to the Ruto-led UDA party.
Below is Aden Duale’s appreciation to the president after William Ruto nominated Mr. Duale to be at the helm of the Ministry of Defence:
Thank you, My Boss, My Friend and My President. @WilliamsRuto
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, MP (@HonAdenDuale) September 27, 2022
This afternoon I received the news of my nomination as the next Cabinet Secretary for Defence with much honour, joy and humility. pic.twitter.com/iAENaX11zd
6. Alice Wahome (Water, Sanitation and Irrigation).
Alice Muthoni Wahome is well known as a human rights activist. She specialized in fighting against the oppression of the girl-child and women in general. However, it was in the disputed deadly elections of 2007 that saw the lawyer make her debut in the Kenyan political landscape.
During that election, Ms Wahome vied for the Kandara Constituency parliamentary seat under the NARC Kenya party. Her efforts were unsuccessful. Not to be deterred by her failures, Ms Wahome vied again for the same seat in 2013. She won. It seems that she has made a successful transition from law to politics. She is currently 77 years old and most likely to retire as a cabinet secretary in the Ruto-led UDA government.
Below is Alice Wahome’s reaction after learning that she will take charge of the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation:
Thank you to H.E The President of the Republic of Kenya @WilliamsRuto for the nomination to serve as Cabinet Secretary – Water, Sanitation and Irrigation. pic.twitter.com/UB9ZAu4fNM
— Hon Alice Muthoni Wahome (@WahomeHon) September 28, 2022
7. Alfred Mutua (Foreign Affairs).
Alfred Ng’ang’a Mutua was born in 1970 in Machakos County in the former Eastern Province. Mr. Mutua is well known as a two-term governor of Machakos County. He is also the leader of the Maendeleo Chap Chap Party. He party briefly joined the Odinga-led Azimio La Umoja Coalition in the 2022 presidential elections. But internal fighting with his colleagues from Kambaland saw the Maendeleo Chap Chap leader desert Azimio and join its arch-rival, the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
Mr. Mutua served as the Government Spokesman of the Kibaki administration before devolution created space for him to vie as the governor of Machakos. Alfred Mutua’s role as the Cabinet Secretary fits him well as he is well traveled. He attended college overseas starting with the Eastern Washington University, Western Sydney University and then finally the Whitworth University.
Below is Alfred Mutua’s twitter thanking president Ruto for nominating Mr. Mutua to take charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
I wish to humbly thank President @WilliamsRuto for appointing me to his Government. He had many to chose from and I am grateful he saw me fit to serve his Government and Kenyans. Thanks also to Almighty God, my supportive family & friends & to all well wishers. Mbele iko Sawa. pic.twitter.com/rRNF4cAiUX
— Dr. Alfred Mutua (@DrAlfredMutua) September 27, 2022
8. Moses Kuria (Trade).
The former Gatundu South Member Of Parliament Moses Kiarie Kuria was born in 1971 in Gatundu, Kiambu District in the former Central Province. Moses Kuria made his political debut in 2013 when he won the Gatundu South Constituency under the TNA party banner. He successfully defended his seat in 2017 when he won under the umbrella of the Jubilee party.
Mr. Kuria contested unsuccessfully for the gubernatorial seat in Kiambu County during the 2022 presidential elections. Senator Wamatangi won the seat after defeating all contestants including former Kiambu governor William Kabogo.
Moses Kuria is the party leader of the Chama Cha Kazi party. The Party formed a coalition with the William Ruto-led UDA that was the chief architect of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition party.
9. Rebecca Miano (East African Community).
Rebecca Miano is a lawyer and the former CEO of KenGen. Ms Miano is one of the only two females leading a parastatal company in Kenya. Of course the other woman is Mary Mwangi who is the CEO of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya.
10. Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads).
Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen is the former Senator of Elgeyo Marakwet County. This was a position he successful vied for and won in 2013 under the then Ruto-led URP Party. Mr. Murkomen replaced the so called Total Man, the late Nicholas Biwott whom the younger Murkomen soundly defeated before the former passed away in 2017.
Mr. Murkomen retained his seat in the 2017 general election under the Jubilee Party umbrella. During the 2022 general elections, Mr. Murkomen successfully defended his seat against the Elgeyo Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos who was ineligible to vie for the gubernatorial seat after serving two terms.
However, now that president William Ruto has nominated Mr. Murkomen to take the helm at the Ministry of Roads, Mr. Tolgos is more likely to secure the senatorial seat should he decide to vie for it.
Below is Mr. Murkomen’s twit thanking president Ruto after the latter nominated him to be the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Roads:
I thank HE @WilliamsRuto for giving me the greatest honor&privilege to serve my country as a Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Roads,Transport and Public Works. I will serve the people of Kenya with greatest humility &utmost dedication to ensure we achieve our development PLAN
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 27, 2022
11. Zacharia Njeru (Lands).
Zacharia Mwangi Njeru is the real hustler. He has just risen from an unknown Ward Administrator and now he is slated to be a Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Lands. Nobody knows what President Ruto saw in Zachary Njeru, but if confirmed by the National Assembly, Mr. Njeru will be seen as the most inexperienced of all Cabinet Secretaries.
This is more so in the Ministry of Lands which is one of the more high profile ministries. Of course the other top tier ministries include Health, Agriculture, Roads and Education.
12. Peninah Malonza ( Tourism).
Peninah Malonza is well known as the Deputy Governor of Kitui County under Governor Julius Malombe. Mr. Malombe was the governor of Kitui between 2013 and 2017 before Governor Charity Ngilu took over.
If the National Assembly confirms her nomination, Ms Malonza will be the first politician to serve as a Cabinet Secretary from Kitui South.
13. Mithika Linturi (Agriculture).
Franklin Mithika Linturi is best known as the former Meru County Senator. He was elected as the Meru senator in during the 2017 general election under the Jubilee Party banner. Prior to that, Mr. Linthuri was a Member of Parliament for the Igembe South Constituency. This was a seat that he vied for and won under the Kenya African National Union (KANU) ticket in the 2007 general election.
Below is Mithika Linturi’s twit thanking President Ruto for the nomination:
I thank the President of the republic of Kenya @WilliamsRuto for giving me a chance to work as the CS in the ministry of Agriculture. I will serve the people of Kenya with humility and honour so that we can achieve the goals of Kenya Kwanza govt in the agricultural sector. pic.twitter.com/1J5lSPvCsn
— Hon.Mithika Linturi (@mithika_Linturi) September 27, 2022
14. Ezekiel Machogu (Education).
Ezekiel Machogu Ombaki is slated to take over the Ministry of Education from former CS Magoha. Mr. Ombaki (Machogu) is the former Member of Parliament in the National Assembly for the Nyaribari Masaba Constituency. He won the seat in 2017 under the NAPK party banner.
Mr. Machogu Ombaki was the former DO and then the DC of the former Kisii District in the former Nyanza Province. Ezekiel Machogu is taking over the Education docket that Mr. Fred Matiang’i administered during the Uhuru Administration.
Below is Ezekiel Machogu’s twit thanking president Ruto for nominating him as the Ministry of Education boss:
Thank you again President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for offering me this opportunity to work at your government as Cabinet Secretary for education, looking forward to transform the education sector. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration pic.twitter.com/DwTmrCpSUW
— Hon. Ezekiel Machogu Ombaki, CBS (@HonMachogu) September 28, 2022
15. Davis Chirchir (Energy and Petroleum).
Davis Chirchir is not new in running a Cabinet Secretary docket. In fact, in 2013, Mr. Chirchir was appointed by the Uhuru-led Jubilee administration to head the same Ministry of Energy docket. However, two years later, President Kenyatta dropped him from the post during the Cabinet Secretary shuffle of 2015.
Perhabs president Ruto was not happy with the firing and hence revived Mr.Chirchir’s ambition to be a Cabinet secretary. The Ruto administration has appointed Mr. Chirchir to the docked hence waiting to be confirmed by the National Assemby before embarking on the job.
16. Ababu Namwamba (Sports).
Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba was born in Jinja, Uganda in 1975. Mr. Namwamba made his political debut in the 2007 general election. During this time, he vied for the Parliamentary seat of Budalangi Constituency.
Mr. Namwamba previously served as the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs between 2012 and 2013. He belonged to the Odinga-led ODM party until then. Afterwards, he deserted ODM and joined the Labor Party.
Below is Ababu Namwamba’s twit thanking the Ruto administration for nominating him to lead the Ministry of Sports:
My sincere appreciation to Your Excellency President @WilliamsRuto for the confidence and faith in nominating me to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports & Arts. pic.twitter.com/g58lA9HQsU
— Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH🇰🇪 (@AbabuNamwamba) September 27, 2022
17. Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives and MSMEs).
Simon Kiprono Chelugui is the only vestige remaining of the Uhuru-led Jubilee government cabinet secretaries. In the former administration, Mr. Chelugui served as the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Labor.
But in the Ruto Administration, the president has nominated Mr. Chelugui to lead the Ministry of Cooperatives, Micro and Small and Medium Enterprise Development. Below is Mr. Chelugui’s twit thanking the president for nominating him to lead one of the ministries in the Ruto administration:
Thank you Your Excellency Dr. @WilliamsRuto, CGH, Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya for nominating me to the Cabinet, to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises( MSME) Development.
— Simon Kiprono Chelugui (@CsChelugui) September 28, 2022
18. Salim Mvurya (Mining).
Salim Mvurya Mkala is best known as the former governor of Kwale County. He secured the Kwale County gubernatorial seat in 2013 under the Odinga-led ODM Party ticket. Mr. Mvurya chose Fatuma Achani as his running mate and then deputy governor.
On September 2014, Mr Mvurya while on a political rally with Raila Odinga were attached by an elderly man who whacked their backside with a stick. The Politicians’ security detail quickly subdued the senior citizen but later released him when it was established that he was suffering from a mental health issue.
19. Florence Borè (Labor).
Florence Borè Tapnyole, popularly known as Florence Borè is the former Kericho County Women Representative. The Ruto administration has nominated Ms Bore to lead the Ministry of Labor docket.
During the 2022 UDA nomination primaries, Borè lost the nomination to the current Women Representative Beatrice Kemei. MS Kemei was declared the winner unopposed in July 2022 due to a lack of a competitor before the the August elections were held.
Below is a twit by Florence Borè thanking president Ruto for nominating her in his administration:
20. Susan Wafula (Health).
Susan Nakhumicha Wafula made a political debut in 2022 general election where she ran for the Trans-Nzoi Women Representative Seat under the Ford Kenya Party ticket. However, her efforts proved unsuccessful as she emerged third.
Ms Wafula has a background in the health sector. For example, she has worked at many healthcare firms such as Kenya Medical Supplies Agency, AAR Healthcare, Nairobi Women’s Hospital and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).
Susan Wafula took to twitter to thank the president for nominating her to lead the Health Ministry docket. Thus, she twitted:
I take this opportunity to sincerely thank our Commander In Chief Of the Defense Forces H. E President @WilliamsRuto for having nominated me to serve Kenyans as the Cabinet Secretary for Health. I promise nothing but service delivery. God bless Kenya. pic.twitter.com/79z6rk3zwY
— Dr. Susan Nakhumicha Wafula (@DrSusanWafula) September 28, 2022
