Mt Kenya Scores Major Win In Ruto's Cabinet

The vote-rich, populous Mt Kenya region was the biggest beneficiary of President William Ruto's new Cabinet which he announced on Tuesday, September 27.

In the 22-man Cabinet structure, seven of the ministerial positions went to those who hailed from the Mt Kenya region while three were granted Cabinet-level-portfolio slots.

Ruto rewarded Prof Kithure Kindiki with the position of Cabinet Secretary (CS) of Interior and Coordination of Government. The National Treasury docket went to former Central Bank of Kenya governor Njuguna Ndung'u.

President William Ruto with Kithure Kindiki during a past event. /FILE

Other Cabinet slots secured by the region include CS Water and Sanitation given to Kandara MP Alice Wahome, CS Trade and Industrialisation awarded to former Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, former Meru Senator Mithika Linturi handed the Agriculture and Livestock docket, CS Lands will be Zachariah Njeru and KenGen boss Rebecca Miano will be at the helm of the East Africa Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands. 

President Ruto also named the former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi as the new Attorney General, with Monica Juma and Mercy Wanjau as advisors in his government, all of whom hail from Mt Kenya. 

This translates to 30 per cent of Cabinet slots coming from the region, which was responsible for propelling Ruto to an against-the-odds victory over Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja coalition in the 2022 August 9 general elections.

Other than Mt Kenya, Ruto rewarded his allies based in all regions with the aim of diversifying Kenya in his government. The Rift Valley region, which is Ruto's backyard, has the second biggest presence in Cabinet.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen was named CS for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir made a come back as the CS for Energy and Petroleum, Simon Chelugui CS Cooperatives, SMEs, and Florence Bore was named CS for Labour and Social Protection.

The Western region got three slots in Ruto's Cabinet, where the ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi was named the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba was picked as the CS for Sports and Youth, while Susan Wafula was named the CS for Health. 

The Nyanza region, which is Raila Odinga's backyard, bagged two slots. Eliud Owalo, a former ally of Raila, was named CS for ICT, while Ezekiel Machogu from Kisii was picked as the new CS for Education.

In the Ukambani region, Maendeleo Chap Chap leader Alfred Mutua was named the new CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, while Penina Malonza landed the Tourism docket.

From Maasai land, Roselinda Soipan Tuya was picked as the new CS for Environment and Forestry replacing Keriako Tobiko.

Former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa was named the CS for Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action, while Salim Mvurya was rewarded with the Mining docket. From the North Eastern region, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale was named the new Defence Cabinet Secretary. 

Kwale and Kilifi counties got one ministerial position each in the Coastal region. Mombasa, a known Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) stronghold, did not get any appointments.

Former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa. /DAILY NATION