President William Ruto has made a fresh wave of changes in government, appointing new Principal Secretaries and reassigning several others in a move aimed at strengthening service delivery across key ministries.
In a statement released by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha was nominated as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Habitat in Nairobi. At the same time, Dr. Fredrick Ouma Oluga, a former Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary-General, was appointed Principal Secretary in the State Department for Medical Services.
Oluga, who led KMPDU for five years until March 2020, now replaces Harry Kimtai, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Mining.
Gathecha Elevated, Kisiang’ani Demoted
Amos Gathecha, who previously served as PS for Public Service, has been promoted to Deputy Head of Public Service in the Executive Office of the President.
Professor Edward Kisiang’ani, formerly the PS in the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, has been reassigned as a Senior Advisor and Member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. He joins Moses Kuria and economist David Ndii on the council, which is tasked with steering Kenya’s economic revival.
Stephen Isaboke, Group Executive at MultiChoice, will now serve as PS for Broadcasting and Telecommunications.
Changes in Key Ministries
In the Ministry of Education, PS Belio Kipsang was moved to the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, swapping roles with Julius Bitok. Ruto also established a new State Department for Science, Research and Innovation under the Ministry of Education, appointing Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat as PS. This department was previously part of the Higher Education docket held by Beatrice Inyangala.
Dr. Caroline Wanjiru Karugu, a former Nyeri Deputy Governor and Raila Odinga’s AU campaign advisor, was appointed PS in the State Department for East African Community (EAC) Affairs.
Foreign Service Nominations
Several PSs were reassigned to diplomatic roles. Notable nominations include:
- Peter Tum, former Sports PS, now Kenya’s Ambassador to the DRC.
- Alfred Ombudo K’Ombudo, former Trade PS, nominated Deputy Head of Mission in Brussels, Belgium.
- Abdi Dubat Fidhow, former EAC PS, appointed Consul-General in Arusha, Tanzania.
- James Buyekane Muhati, former Economic Planning PS, named Consul-General in Guangzhou, China.
- Geoffrey Eyanae Kaituko, Maritime Affairs PS, to serve as Deputy Head of Mission in Rome, Italy.
New Principal Secretary Nominations
Ruto also nominated the following individuals to join his administration:
- Dr. Jane Kare Imbunya – PS, Public Service & Human Capital Development
- Ms. Regina Akoth Ombam – PS, State Department for Trade
- Mr. Cyrell Wagunda Odede – PS, Public Investments & Assets Management
- Mr. Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim – PS, National Government Coordination
- Ms. Judith Naiyai Pareno – PS, Justice, Human Rights & Constitutional Affairs
- Dr. Bonface Makokha – PS, Economic Planning
These sweeping changes reflect President Ruto’s commitment to reorganizing his administration for efficiency and better service delivery.
Stay updated with more developments from our Kenya News section.
