Ruto Urged To Appoint Former CS Susan Nakhumicha To His Govt

Ruto acknowledged the work the former CS did in the health sector, affirming that she did a 'good job'.

Ruto Urged To Appoint Former CS Susan Nakhumicha To His Govt
Former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha (left) meets President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on August 1, 2023. /PCS

Leaders from the Western region have urged President William Ruto to consider appointing former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha to a position in his government, a day after she shared her plight following her dismissal from Cabinet in July last year.

Speaking during the late former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati's burial on Saturday, March 8, Kiminini Member of Parliament Maurice Kakai revealed that Nakhumicha was still capable of holding another office in government.

"Your Excellency, I believe that Nakhumicha was doing a very good job when she was in office. Mama Mary has said how competent, kind, and focused she was in helping the chairman. As you continue to arrange the government, remember Nakhumicha," he said.

President William Ruto leads the first broad-based Cabinet meeting on September 17, 2024. /PCS

In an apparent response to her request, Ruto acknowledged the work the former CS did in the health sector, affirming that she did a 'good job'.

Nakhumicha was speaking on Friday, March 7, during Chebukati's funeral service in Trans Nzoia, where she opened up on her financial challenges following her exit from Cabinet, thus opting to venture into cabbage farming.

In her speech, she asked Kenyans to pray for her future, acknowledging that her departure from President Ruto's Cabinet resulted from the Gen Z protests.

"I was the Minister of Health, and the Gen Z came wakaanguka na mimi. The Bishop preached and said that during Moi's time, announcements were made on radio; ours was announced on TV as we waited. I just heard that the whole Cabinet had been sent home and saw people were very happy.

"The Bishop said that we should focus on God, and since that day, that is what I have done. Right now, I am farming because since that day, I have had no job. I do sell cabbages. I plant cabbages in Cherangany. continue praying for me so that the next time I can praise God, too," she stated.

The former Health Cabinet Secretary was removed from office in July 2024 following widespread anti-government protests across the country.

Nakhumicha, along with several other ministers, was dismissed after public dissatisfaction with the government. She was succeeded by Deborah Barasa on August 8, 2024.

After her dismissal, Nakhumicha remarked that her distinct name made it difficult for people to stop recognizing her as the Health Cabinet Secretary, which in turn affected her ability to interact freely.

She also appealed to Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit to remember her in his prayers, as she was facing significant challenges following her abrupt removal from the government.

Former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha at her cabbage farm on December 14, 2024. /SUSAN NAKHUMICHA