President William Ruto, flanked by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi (right), during the announcement of new Cabinet nominees at State House on Friday, July 19. PHOTO: PSC
In Summary:
1) President Ruto unveils 11 new Cabinet members, combining new faces and seasoned allies.
2) Key ministries see notable changes, with experienced professionals stepping into critical roles.
3} The new appointments bring diverse expertise to key ministries, including Health, ICT, Agriculture, Water, and Education
President William Ruto has introduced 11 members to his new Cabinet, featuring a blend of fresh faces and trusted allies to bolster his government’s agenda.
The announcement, made on Friday, July 19, follows extensive consultations with both political allies and opposition figures, aiming to stabilize the administration while injecting new energy into essential sectors.
Among those retained are Kithure Kindiki as the Interior Ministry head, Alice Wahome at the Lands Ministry, Aden Duale overseeing Defence, and Soipan Tuya as Environment CS.
Former Energy CS Davis Chirchir moves to Roads and Transport, and Rebecca Miano, previously Trade CS, becomes the new Attorney General, succeeding Justin Muturi.
Significantly, five new entrants bring substantial experience and expertise to their respective ministries:
Dr. Debra Mlongo Barasa – Ministry of Health:
Dr. Barasa, a seasoned medical professional with over 15 years of experience in internal medicine and infectious diseases, will lead the Health Ministry.
Her background includes roles in national and referral hospitals, private institutions, and community-based organizations.
She has notably led responses to outbreaks such as COVID-19 and Ebola. Dr. Barasa holds a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine, is pursuing an MSc in Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and has a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nairobi.
Her career includes significant positions at the Mater Hospital and the World Health Organization.
Dr. Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u – Ministry of ICT:
Dr. Ndung’u, an expert in internet governance, cybersecurity, and AI, will oversee the Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy.
She has played a key role in shaping the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy and the AU Data Policy Framework. Dr. Ndung’u holds a PhD in Information Systems, an MBA in Management Science, and a B.Sc. in Information Science from Moi University.
Her professional experience includes senior roles at the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership and the African Union Commission.
Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja – Ministry of Agriculture:
Dr. Karanja, with over 36 years in agriculture and rural development, joins the Cabinet as the head of the Agriculture Ministry.
His career spans roles from an extension officer to a Senior Agricultural Economist at the World Bank. Dr. Karanja holds a PhD in Development Economics and Policy from Wageningen University, an MSc in Agricultural Economics, and a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi.
He has led economic assessments and managed agricultural development projects extensively.
Eric Muriithi Mugaa – Ministry of Water:
At 32, civil engineer Eric Muriithi Mugaa will lead the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation. His expertise includes managing engineering projects, hydraulic modeling, and designing water treatment plants.
Mugaa has an MSc in Civil Engineering focused on Water Resources and a BSc in Civil and Construction Engineering from the University of Nairobi.
He has contributed significantly as an Assistant Project Engineer on various water and sanitation projects.
Julius Migosi Ogamba – Ministry of Education:
Julius Migosi Ogamba, a legal professional with over 25 years of experience, will head the Ministry of Education. His career includes roles as a Senior Partner at Migosi-Ogamba & Waudo Advocates and Chairman of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company.
Ogamba holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
His expertise in legal research, client counseling, and regulatory compliance positions him to bring strategic oversight to the education sector.