Powers Ruto Gave Musalia Mudavadi As Prime Cabinet Secretary

President William Ruto lived up to his campaign promise of appointing Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi to the position of Prime Cabinet Secretary.

Described as a laid back man who carefully thinks over what he says and does not rush into making decisions and public pronouncements, Mudavadi has earned the tag of “a safe pair of hands” from his supporters. Some have also described him as a non-polarising character and "the gentleman of Kenyan politics".

Mudavadi now holds the position of the most powerful after the Presidency and that of the Deputy President occupied by Rigathi Gachagua, according to Ruto.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during a past address. /FILE

"We have again the other very important position and that is of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and I have appointed my brother Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi into that office.

"That office is possibly the most senior office after the office of the President and Deputy President and I have set out functions," the President announced while listing down his responsibilities in that docket.

Mudavadi will now assist the office of the President and that of his deputy in supervising state ministries.

"He will assist the President and Deputy President in the Coordination and supervision of Government Ministries and State Departments. In liaison with the Ministry responsible for Interior and Coordination, oversee the implementation of government policies, programmes and projects.

"Chair and coordinate National Government Legislative agenda across all Ministries and State Departments in consultations with and for transmission to the party coalition leadership in both National Assembly and the Senate," added Ruto.

President Ruto added that Mudavadi will be charged with facilitating inter-ministerial coordination of cross-functional initiatives and programs.

The new prime CS will coordinate and supervise the technical monitoring and evaluation of government policies programmes and projects across ministries.

During the campaigns, Ruto had promised the ANC party leader that he would transform him into a Prime CS under his government.

At the same time Ford-Kenya's Moses Wetangula was assured of the National Assembly speaker post. Those promises were also fulfilled.

The two were also guaranteed six slots in Ruto's Cabinet as well as priority development projects in their home turfs.

One of the promises that wasn't fulfilled was the inclusion of 50 per cent of women in Ruto’s Cabinet.

Read the full list of Cabinet Secretaries appointed by Ruto here

President William Ruto addressing the nation outside State House on September 27, 2022. /WILLIAM RUTO