Ruto Picks 2 New PSs One Week After Esther Ngero Resignation

President William Ruto on Wednesday, May 31, nominated two candidates for the position of Principal Secretary (PS) a week after the resignation of Esther Ngero.

In a statement signed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the Head of State nominated Salome Wairimu Muhia-Beacco as the Principal Secretary, State Department for Correctional Services, Ministry of Interior & National Administration.

Muhia-Becco is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya of twenty-six years standing, the nominee has served in various management roles within the following corporations: Bamburi Cement Company Limited, AIG Insurance Co. Ltd, Phoenix of East Africa Insurance Company Limited; and ICEA Insurance.

She holds a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M) in Leadership and Governance from the University of Nairobi.

Ruto also nominated Anne Njoki Wang'ombe, Principal Secretary, State Department for Performance Management & Delivery Services, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, replacing Ngero who resigned from the position for personal reasons.

"The nominee is a human resource practitioner and educationist with experience spanning three decades. Ms Wang'ombe is currently serving as the Manager of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Staff Pension Scheme (KRASPS); a position she has held since 2018.

"Previously, she served as the lead Human Resources Consultant for Mannion Daniels Africa Limited and as the Assistant Director, Human Resources & Administration at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). The nominee holds a Master's Degree in Education Administration & Planning from the University of Nairobi," read the statement in part.

The nominees, if granted the seal of approval by Parliament, will join the senior ranks of the Executive. President Ruto transmitted the nominations to the National Assembly for consideration by Parliament, in fulfilment of the legal requirements set out under Kenya's supreme law.

Ngero was recently reassigned from the State Department for Performance Management & Delivery Services in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary to the State Department for Correctional Services within the Ministry of Interior & National Administration.

Koskei noted that in her time in office, Ngero has been instrumental in establishing the institutional framework to support the implementation of Public Service Performance Management and Monitoring for Ministries, State Departments, and State Agencies (MDAs).

The nominations and Ngero's resignation came after Ruto reshuffled seven PSs following the termination of Public Health PS Dr Josephine Mburu and the re-assignment of Peter Kiplagat Tum. 

Ruto assigned Tum the docket of the Ministry of Sports from the Ministry of Health while Harry Kimtai joined the Ministry of Health as PS Medical Services after being moved from Livestock PS at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Mary Muthoni Muriuki, who served as the Interior PS in charge of the Correctional Services, was moved to PS Public Health & Professional Standards at the Ministry of Health.

Former Forestry PS Ephantus Kimani was transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Irrigation as Water PS. Jonathan Mueke was transferred from Sports to the Ministry of Agriculture to serve as PS Livestock.

Ruto appointed Gitonga Mugambi as PS Forestry from Water, where he was PS Irrigation.

Esther Ngero taking the oath of office as Principal Secretary of the State Department for Performance and Delivery on December 2, 2022. /DAILY NATION