President Ruto shakes up government in major Principal Secretaries reshuffle
In a significant move aimed at strengthening governance and improving service delivery, President William Ruto has announced a sweeping reshuffle of Principal Secretaries (PSs). The changes, which involve key promotions, reassignments, and new appointments, reflect the administration’s commitment to optimizing government operations and addressing emerging economic opportunities.
Among the major promotions, Amos Gathecha has been elevated from his role in the Public Service docket to Deputy Head of Public Services, underscoring his critical role in government operations.
Additionally, Professor Edward Kisiang’ani, previously the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, has been reassigned to a strategic advisory role as Senior Advisor and Member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. His former position at the ICT Ministry will now be occupied by Stephen Isaboke, who formerly served as Group Executive and Head of Regulatory Affairs at MultiChoice Group.
President Ruto has also nominated 14 new Principal Secretaries, signaling a fresh wave of leadership. Notably, four of these appointees—Jane Kare Imbunya, Regina Akoth Ombam, Cyrell Wagunda Odede, and Caroline Wanjiru Karugu—have close ties to opposition leader Raila Odinga, suggesting a potential move toward bipartisan collaboration in governance.
Other notable new appointees include:
Oluga Fredrick Ouma
Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim
Judith Naiyai Pareno
Several Principal Secretaries have been reassigned to different ministries:
Professor Julius Bitok, formerly PS in the State Department for Immigration, has been moved to Basic Education.
Teresiah Mbaika will now head the newly established State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Ishmael Madey has been appointed to lead the State Department for Special Programs.
Harry Kimtai, formerly in Medical Services, has been shifted to the State Department for Mining.
Dr. Belio Kipsang, previously in Basic Education, will now oversee Immigration and Citizen Services.
Elijah Mwangi has taken over the State Department for Sports, replacing Peter Tum.
In a strategic move, President Ruto has introduced a State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation within the Ministry of Education. This department, previously under Higher Education, will now operate independently under the leadership of Professor Abdulrazak Shaukat, while Beatrice Inyangala will continue heading Higher Education.
The reshuffle also extends to Kenya’s diplomatic engagements. Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has been appointed Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations Habitat in Nairobi, placing her at the center of Kenya’s urban development and environmental sustainability policies.
Additionally, former Sports PS Peter Tum has been nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while Alfred K’Ombundo has been appointed Deputy Head of Mission in Belgium.
President Ruto emphasized that the restructuring aims to enhance efficiency, streamline coordination, and strengthen public administration. He underscored the importance of aligning government leadership with emerging economic sectors to drive innovation and improve service delivery.
With these changes, the government aims to implement its policies more effectively, boost economic growth, and foster inclusive governance. The appointments reflect a mix of seasoned technocrats and fresh leadership, positioning the administration for a more dynamic and results-driven approach.
