President William Ruto announced a significant Cabinet reshuffle, introducing new appointments and reassignments aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of his administration. This marks his first cabinet reshuffle since the formation of the broad based government with his ODM counterpart former prime minister Raila Odinga.
Following the reshuffle Justin Muturi was dealt the first blow after being dismissed from his position as Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Public Service and Human Capital Development. This came a day after president Ruto during an Iftar dinner at State House on Tuesday, castigated the former AG labelling him as fairly incompetent, for delaying the roll out of the Muslim Endowment Fund (Waqf) that had been proposed by Muslim leaders.
With Muturi appearing as one of the losers following the current reshuffle, two new names have emerged and have been nominated to CS postions and are currently awaiting the parliaments approval. This are Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku and Hanna Wendot Cheptumo who have been nominated as the new CS for Public Service and Human Capital Development and CS for Gender, Culture, the Arts & Heritage respectively. Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku is the current Member of Parliament for Mbeere North while Hanna Wendot Cheptumo is the widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo.
The reshuffle witnessed two reassignments with Aden Duale and Deborah Barasa interchanging ministry, Duale will now lead the health docket while Deborah Mulongo Barasa will now take charge of the Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry docket. This comes as the government try to overcome the harrowing tales of patients dying because SHA delays or inefficiencies.
With rest of the (CS’s) maintaining their postions and the new nominees awaiting to undergo parliamentary vetting before officially assuming their roles. It remains to be seen whether there will be any changes in the governing and implementation of the governments projects and promises. These changes reflect President Ruto’s commitment to optimizing his Cabinet’s performance to address the nation’s priorities effectively amidst growing frustrations within the public.
