President William Ruto has made minor adjustments to his Cabinet, appointing acting Cabinet Secretaries to oversee vacant ministerial portfolios and nominating new candidates for key dockets. These changes, announced via a State House communique on Saturday, December 28, are aimed at ensuring continuity in critical ministries while awaiting vetting and approval of the nominees.
Interim Assignments
The following Cabinet members have been reassigned on an interim basis:
- Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will oversee the ICT Ministry alongside his role as Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS.
- CS Aden Duale (Environment and Forestry) will temporarily preside over the Agriculture and Livestock Development Ministry.
- CS Salim Mvurya (Youth Affairs and Sports) will act as the head of the Investment and Trade Ministry.
The changes were made under the authority of Article 152(5)(a) of the Constitution.
Nominees for Key Ministries
President Ruto also nominated the following individuals to fill the vacant Cabinet roles:
- Lee Kinyanjui (former Nakuru governor) – CS for Investment and Trade.
- William Kabogo (former Kiambu governor) – CS for ICT.
- Mutahi Kagwe (former Health CS) – CS for Agriculture and Livestock Development.
The nominees are set to undergo vetting by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, on January 14.
Reassignments to Diplomatic Roles
As part of the reshuffle, outgoing Cabinet Secretaries received new assignments:
- Andrew Karanja (former Agriculture CS) has been appointed Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil.
- Margaret Ndung’u Nyambura (former ICT CS) will serve as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Ghana.
Background and Implications
This reshuffle comes amid the transfer of CS Kipchumba Murkomen from the Sports docket to the Interior Ministry following the elevation of Kithure Kindiki to the Office of the Deputy President.
The interim appointments ensure uninterrupted leadership in pivotal ministries, with the acting roles expected to conclude once the nominees are vetted and approved.
Looking Ahead
The new nominees bring a mix of experience and fresh perspectives to the Cabinet, promising to reinforce President Ruto’s governance agenda. The vetting process on January 14 will be a critical step in confirming their roles and shaping the direction of these key ministries in the coming years.
