Kenya’s President William Ruto Reshuffles 8 Cabinet Secretaries

On Wednesday night, President William Ruto rearranged eight of his Cabinet secretaries, allowing Prime Cabinet Musalia Mudavadi to assume one extra Cabinet duty.

Musalia Mudavadi retained his Prime Cabinet Secretary position and was handed another responsibility over the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs which was previously held by former Machakos governor Alfred Mutua.

Mr. Alfred Mutua was shifted from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

Mr. Mutua supported the Kenyan led peacekeeping mission to Haiti and said that about 1,000 police Kenyan Police would be deployed to Haiti.

The United Nations Security Council approved the deployment of the Kenyan Police Tuesday.

Prior to sending Kenyan police to Haiti, several members of the Kenyan parliament have condemned the action and demanded legislative authorisation.

According to Mr. Raila Odinga, the leader of Kenya’s opposition, the situation in Haiti is too hazardous for Kenyan police to handle.

“When coffins start arriving here, that’s when we shall regret. Haiti is dangerous and there’s a possibility our police will encounter problems there,” the opposition leader said.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria was moved to the Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management.

Mr. Kuria was replaced by the EAC CS Rebecca Miano who was moved to Trade and Industry docket to replace the former Gatundu South MP.

In August this year, president Ruto had criticized some of his Cabinet ministers terming them as clueless in matters concerning their portfolios.

President Ruto said in a statement that the reshuffle was meant to “optimize performance and enhance delivery as set out in the administration’s manifesto”.

The president also cracked down government spending and foreign travel, ordering the ministries to cut their spending by 10%.

Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome swapped positions with Zachary Njeru of the Ministry of Lands, Public Works and Urban development.

Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa was moved to the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage.

Peninah Malonza was transferred from the Tourism docket and assigned the Ministry of East Africa Community, the ASALS and East Africa Development.

None of the previously selected members of the executive have been removed or sacked but have rather been reshuffled in the changes made by the President.

The defense and security ministers, were not affected by the President’s reshuffle of the ministries.