PROFILE: Ruto Finally Nominates Gender CS

After what seemed like ages, President William Ruto has nominated a Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Arts and Culture after Stella Soi Lang'at’s nomination was rejected by Parliament on August 7, 2024.

Ruto, on Wednesday, March 26, nominated Hannah Teriki Wendot Cheptumo, widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, to spearhead the gender docket. She will undergo parliamentary vetting. If approved, her name will be forwarded to the President for formal appointment.

Since Lang'at's nomination was trashed by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, it has been a struggle for the Head of State to name her replacement, something which made women MPs, lobby groups, among others, put pressure on Ruto to name someone in his broad-based Cabinet.

Hannah Wendot Profile

Wendot Cheptumo is a Kenyan lawyer by profession. She is widely known for her legal expertise, resilience, and dedication to family and community service.

Her journey into law was largely inspired and supported by her late husband, Senator William Cheptumo, who envisioned her playing a key role in managing their family’s legal practice. She later joined the law firm established by her husband, where she played a significant role in its operations.

Gender Cabinet Secretary nominee Hannah Wendot. /FILE

Before marrying the late Senator, Hannah worked at a government office in Nyayo House, which hosts over 58 National and County Government departments providing essential services, including immigration.

With a background in public service, she has been a strong advocate for women’s rights, legal empowerment, and social justice.

Hanna Wendot Cheptumo’s Marriage

Hannah was married to the late Senator William Cheptumo, with whom she shared a deep and enduring bond. Their love story was one of devotion and persistence, with Cheptumo often expressing admiration for her smile and teeth, a lighthearted memory she shared during his requiem mass at AIC Milimani, Nairobi.

The couple had three children—Antony Kipchirchir, Andrew Rotich, and Jean Jeptoo—who all followed in their parents’ footsteps by pursuing careers in law.

Speaking on Saturday, March 1, during Cheptumo’s burial in Bartabwa, Baringo County, President William Ruto pledged to offer Hannah Wendot Cheptumo a job. However, at the time, he did not specify the position she would be appointed to.

President Ruto praised the late senator as a resourceful and progressive leader with a strong track record in development. He highlighted Cheptumo’s powerful advocacy for the voiceless and his contributions to peace and stability in Baringo and the Kerio Valley.

He also noted that his administration had worked closely with the senator and had fulfilled his requests, including enhancing security in Baringo County.

Why Was Stella Lang'at's Nomination Turned Down?

At the time, Lang'at was deemed to have failed to demonstrate adequate knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on the portfolio to which she had been nominated.

The National Assembly Committee on Appointments went ahead to approve 19 Cabinet Secretary nominees picked by President Ruto to occupy positions in his Cabinet, and they were subsequently sworn into office days later. All except the Gender CS nominee, who was not picked to replace Lang'at.

The Gender CS post drew significant attention, and one individual who openly declared her interest was former NTV presenter Doreen Majala. “To whom it may concern, I hereby express my interest in the position of CS, Gender, Culture, The Arts & Heritage,” Majala wrote in part on X on August 7, 2024.