By Daniel Otieno, Kakamega
President William Ruto has moved six Principal Secretaries (PS) to new positions and appointed 14 others to various state roles, including individuals with ties to opposition leader Raila Odinga’s camp. The changes come amid ongoing efforts to strengthen his administration.
Among the notable changes, Edwin Kisiangani, who had been serving as the PS for ICT, has been appointed Senior Advisor to the President and a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. Kisiangani’s appointment follows a highly publicized dispute with leading media houses.
Amos Gathe has been transferred from his role as PS for Public Service to become the Deputy Head of Public Service in the Executive Office of the President. Professor Julius Bitok, formerly the PS for Immigration and Citizen Services in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, has been moved to the State Department for Basic Education within the Ministry of Education.
Ishmael Madey, who had been heading the PS position for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, has been reassigned to the State Department for Special Programmes in the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes. Teresiah Mbaika, previously PS for the State Department for Devolution, has been moved to oversee Aviation and Aerospace Development in the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
Harry Kimtai move from the position of PS for Medical Services to head the State Department for Mining in the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs. Elijah Mwangi has been moved from PS for Mining to lead the State Department for Sports within the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Dr. Belio Kipsang has been transferred from the Ministry of Education, where he was PS for Basic Education, to the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
Alongside these moves, the President also announced the nomination of several new PSs. Dr. Jane Kare Imbunya has been nominated as the new PS for the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital, while Dr. Catherine Wangiru Karungu will take over as the PS for East African Community Affairs in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, ASALs, and Regional Development.
Regina Akoth Ombam has been nominated to head the State Department for Trade in the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry. Cyrell Wagunda Odede has been nominated as the PS for the State Department for Public Investments and Asset Management in the National Treasury and Economic Planning.
Fredrick Ouma Olunga is the new PS for the State Department for Medical Services in the Ministry of Health. Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim has been appointed as the PS for National Government Coordination in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, while Judith Naiyai Paren has been nominated as PS for Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs in the Office of the Attorney General.
Other nominees include Dr. Boniface Mokokha, who will head the Department of Economic Planning in the National Treasury, and Professor Abdulrazak Shaukat, who will take charge of the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation in the Ministry of Education. Stephen Isaboke has been appointed as PS for the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications in the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, while Michael Lenasalon will head the State Department for Devolution in the Office of the President.
Fikirini Katoi Kahindi has been nominated as PS for the State Department for Youth Affairs, and CPA Caren Agengo Achieng has been appointed PS for the State Department for Children Welfare Services within the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Lastly, Aden Abdi Millah will be the new PS for the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs in the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs.
The reshuffle also saw President Ruto make several key ambassadorial nominations. Susan Nakhumicha, the former Cabinet Secretary for Health, has been nominated as the Permanent Representative to the Permanent Mission of Kenya to UN Habitat. James Buyekane Muhati has been nominated as Consul-General in Guangzhou, China, while Abdi Dubat Fidhow has been nominated as Consul-General in Arusha, Tanzania.
In further ambassadorial appointments, Peter Tum, the former Education CS, has been nominated as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Alfred Ombudo Kombundo has been nominated as Deputy Head of Mission in Brussels, Belgium.
