The National Assembly’s Minority Leader, Opiyo Wandayi. IMAGE: Opiyo Wandayi.
In Summary:
1) Opiyo Wandayi was nominated to Cabinet by President William Ruto.
2) He expressed gratitude to both President Ruto and Raila Odinga.
3) Ruto nominated a total of 10 other Cabinet Secretaries, including several of Odinga’s allies.
Opiyo Wandayi, one of the four allies of Raila Odinga, has been nominated to the Cabinet. The Minority Leader in the National Assembly expressed his gratitude to President William Ruto for his nomination as the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.
In a statement via X on Wednesday, July 23, Wandayi stated that it would be an honor to serve the country in this new role, pending approval from the National Assembly.
The Ugunja MP also acknowledged the mentorship of Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga.
“Thank you, President William Ruto, for nominating me to the position of CS, Energy and Petroleum. It will be a great honor and privilege to serve my country in this new capacity if I secure the approval of the National Assembly. My gratitude to Baba Raila Odinga for his enduring mentorship and tutelage,” said Wandayi.
On Wednesday, President Ruto announced the second batch of Cabinet Secretaries for his broad-based government.
Among the 10 nominees were allies of the former Prime Minister, including former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs; former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya for the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); and nominated MP John Mbadi as the National Treasury and Economic Planning CS.
Other nominees included Salim Mvurya (Trade, Investment, and Industry), Rebecca Miano (Tourism and Wildlife), Kipchumba Murkomen (Youth Affairs and Sports), Alfred Mutua (Labour and Social Protection), Justin Muturi (Public Service), and Stella Soi (Gender).