PS Mary Muthoni Speaks After Ruto Transfer To Health Ministry

Former Interior Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Correctional Services Mary Muthoni welcomed the move by President Ruto to transfer her to the Ministry of Health in the same capacity in a series of changes affecting up to seven PSs.

In a statement on Wednesday, May 17, Muthoni lauded the Head of State for bestowing upon her the new challenge amidst the turbulence affecting the Health Ministry triggered by a Ksh4 billion scandal affecting the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

"I welcome the departmental transfer from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to the Ministry of Health Department of Public Health and Professional Standards.

"I thank His Excellency for a new challenge and responsibility. I will work diligently for the people of Kenya," she stated.

PS Mary Muthoni Muriuki shaking hands with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi. /FACEBOOK.MARY MUTHONI

Muthoni further shared details of her last day as Interior PS in the State Department for Correctional Services where she paid visits to Kerugoya and Maranjau GK Prisons.

She noted that the government intends to modernize prison equipment in the industries to increase production within a very short time and to also focus on making quality products.

"Visited Kerugoya GK Prison as part of the correctional facilities field visits to check on the status and welfare of the inmates and the Prison Officers with the aim of identifying loopholes and looking for ways to seal them.

"As a way of contributing towards the afforestation program, we managed to plant trees with the inmates and the prison officers. This is also part of ensuring the prison farms have 20 per cent forest cover which is a directive by HE the President," she added.

At Maranjau GK Prison, Muthoni praised the extra hard work the inmates put in their industry and farm and coupled with enthusiasm and teamwork, she exuded confidence that the Correctional Department will be able to achieve additional positive outcomes which will benefit Kenya as a whole.

"While on the field visits, we encourage the inmates to keep contact with their family members back at home as part of reconciliation which builds a safer and easier environment for the inmates to fit in once they have been reintegrated back into the society.

"The facilities have different rehabilitation programs including carpentry, masonry, and joinery which we encourage the inmates to enrol in so as to acquire skills, while the government also works towards modernizing the equipment and the workshops," she went on.

Muthoni was picked as the Correctional Services PS on November 10, 2022, after Caroline Nyawira withdrew her candidature for the coveted post.

Nyawira was among 51 nominees whose names were submitted to Parliament for vetting and consequent approval to the state department under the Ministry of Interior. She was allegedly nominated by a Member of Parliament (MP) to a PS role in Kirinyaga County, which sparked uproar online.

Muthoni was notably the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Women In Business (WIB) prior to the PS job, which she also founded. She also began the Women in Business Magazine, and the 1st ever Women in Business Awards Kenya.

She is also the first female director for Women & Gender at the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry. She is the founder and Executive Director of St-Petroc Premier School and the 2017 Devolution Warrior Award holder. 

PS Mary Muthoni during her visits to Kerugoya and Maranjau GK Prisons on May 17, 2023. /MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION