Rebecca Miano: Energy, Business Guru Taking Over From Moses Kuria

After numerous reports by research firms ranking her among the worst-performing Cabinet Secretaries, Rebecca Miano was moved from the Ministry of East African Community, the ASALs and Regional Development to the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry on Wednesday, October 4.

Miano had notably replaced Moses Kuria in the Trade docket in a Cabinet reshuffle by President William Ruto, with Kuria's reshuffle making most of the headlines given his brash demeanour, especially on social media.

Speaking after the reshuffle was announced, she expressed her gratitude for serving at the helm of the EAC ministry and extended her thanks to President Ruto.

"I am grateful for the incredible journey at the helm of the Ministry of East African Community, the ASALs & Regional Development. Thank you H.E President William Ruto for the trust and invaluable opportunity.

CS Rebecca Miano accompanies President William Ruto in Bujumbura, Burundi on February 4, 2023. /X.REBECCA MIANO

"It is with honour and humility that I assume my new assignment at the Ministry of Investments, Trade & Industry. I remain dedicated to advancing our nation's growth, as envisioned in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, and delivering progress to the people of Kenya. So help me God," she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

She followed this up with a post of a beautiful bird taking flight, which was viewed as a cryptic message regarding soaring to new heights as she takes charge of a critical docket in Kenya.

pic.twitter.com/VaMz76gSxs — CS Rebecca Miano, MBS (@rebecca_miano) October 5, 2023

But who is Rebecca Miano and why is she fit to take over as the Trade Cabinet Secretary?

Her Profile

Miano has amassed over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, earning recognition in the continent as a business leader.

The award-winning corporate guru is an expert in different areas including the renewable energy sector, structuring global business projects, and making regulatory frameworks for sustainable development.

Other areas Miano is credited with include business law, corporate governance and policy development.

Before being appointed a CS, Miano served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), a position she has held since October 2017.

"She is focused on growing KenGen’s footprint in geothermal development across Africa, and under her leadership, the company has successfully implemented several large geothermal projects in the continent," KenGen describes her achievement.

Miano also founded the Pink Energy forum in KenGen to address female and gender parity to close the gap within the company.

Previously, from 2008 to 2017, she was the Company Secretary and Legal Affairs Director. She is a respectable lawyer with a career in law and corporate governance and has been responsible for driving the corporate governance agenda in the company, providing guidance and support to the Board and has been the Secretary to the Board and all its Committees.

Awards and Achievements

Miano has been recognised by different global institutions, celebrating her contribution to the energy sector. In November 2019, she was appointed to the Board of Global Compact Network.

Seven months later, in July 2020, she joined the World Bank Group’s Advisory Council on Gender and Development.

She has also served on the Finance Committee of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and is a member of several boards alongside chairing the giant Stima Sacco Board. 

In 2010, the KenGen CEO won the Company Secretary of the Year award in the Champions of Governance Awards series.

Her exemplary leadership saw former President Uhuru Kenyatta confer her the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) in recognition of her outstanding service to the nation in 2019. 

A photo of CS Rebecca Miano at her office. /KENYAN WALLSTREET

Miano was also feted among the Top 100 Women CEOs by Reset Global People in partnership with Pulse and Avance Media, and named one of the top 25 movers and shakers in Africa in 2021 by the African Energy Chamber. 

Education

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree with Honours, a diploma in Law and Post-graduate studies in Comparative Law. In 2010, she completed the Advanced Management Programme from Strathmore University.

She is a registered Certified Public Secretary of Kenya and is a member of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

What Must Miano Do Now In The Trade Docket?

Miano in her new role will be tasked with handling matters of trade, industry and commerce in Kenya and serving as the lead policy advisor to President Ruto's government on trade, industrial and private sector development with responsibility for the formulation and implementation of policies for the promotion, growth and development of domestic and international trade and industry.

Her Ministry is also the advocate for the private sector within the government and is the principal agency responsible for monitoring and implementing the Government’s private sector development programmes and activities through communication and attention to detail.