By Sarah Omondi
President William Ruto has appointed former Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki to replace outgoing Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and Garissa Town MP Aden Duale as the new Defence CS taking over from Eugene Wamalwa.
Former Central Bank of Kenya Governor Prof Njuguna Ndung’u is the new Treasury CS while former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa will take over the Gender and Affirmative Action docket.
Kandara MP Alice Wahome and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen have been appointed to Water and Sanitation and Roads, Transport and Public Works dockets respectively.
Chama cha Kazi Party leader and former Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria is the new Trade CS while ex-Meru Senator Mithika Linturi replaces outgoing Agriculture CS Peter Munya.
Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader and former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua will head the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs docket while Dr Ruto’s chief of staff Davis Chirchir will take over the Energy and Petroleum ministry.
Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) Managing Director Ms Rebecca Miano and former Narok Woman Rep Ms Roselinda Soipan Tuya have been nominated to head the East African Community and ASAL and Environment and Forestry dockets respectively.
Land and Housing, Tourism, Health and ICT dockets will be headed by Zachariah Mwangi Njeru (Nakuru Sub-County adminstrator), Penina Malonza (ex-Kitui Deputy Governor), Susan Nakumicha Wafula and Eliud Owalo (former Raila Odinga campaign manager) respectively.
Former Nyaribari Masaba MP Ezekiel Machogu who unsuccessfully contested Kisii gubernatorial seat in the August 9 elections has been proposed to the Education docket replacing CS George Magoha while former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya is the new Mining CS.
Former Budalangi MP and Head of International Relations at Ruto’s Presidential Campaign Ababu Namwamba will be in charge of Youth, Sports and Arts while Simon Chelugui will head Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) docket.
Former Kericho Woman Rep Ms Florence Bore will be in charge of the Labour Ministry.
Of the 21 CSs, only seven women have been appointed against Dr Ruto’s earlier promise that half of his cabinet would be women.
The Head of State appointed former Energy CS Monica Juma as his advisor on national security matters.
The appointments of Mr Murkomen, Ms Wahome and Mr Duale will necessitate by-elections in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kandara and Garissa respectively as the MPs must relinquish their seats if their names are approved by the National Assembly.
Former National Assembly Speaker and DP Party Leader Justin Muturi will replace Paul Kihara Kariuki as the new Attorney General.
Dr Ruto said he had received resignation from Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti and consequently passed the information to National Police Service for advertisement of the vacancy.
Further, the President said he had allowed outgoing Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai to proceed on six months terminal leave and that he would forward a nominee to parliament for his replacement.
The President has nominated former Nairobi Police boss and NPS Kiganjo college Commandant Eng. Japhet Koome Nchebere’s name to replace Mr Mutyambai.
