President William Ruto has made changes to his Cabinet, nominating Faith Njeri Harrison for the position of Principal Secretary (PS) in the Performance Management department.
Additionally, Esther Ngeno has been reassigned to the Correctional Services as PS. Harrison, previously the Chief Officer of Finance in Kiambu County, will undergo vetting by the National Assembly for her new role.
President Ruto’s reshuffle involves seven PSs across various State Departments, aimed at enhancing the implementation of government programs through functional changes. These changes occur less than a year after their initial appointments.
In recent developments, Josephine Mburu, who held the position of PS in charge of Public Health, was dismissed, making her the first PS in the Kenya Kwanza government to be relieved of duty. The dismissal followed allegations of a donor funding scandal involving the embattled Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa). Peter Tum, a colleague PS at the Health ministry overseeing Kemsa, was not dismissed but instead transferred to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Arts, and Sports.
Harry Kimtai, previously serving in the State Department of Livestock, will replace Eng Tum at the Health ministry. Mary Muthoni, the current PS of Correctional Services, will take over the position of PS for Public Health and Professional Standards, replacing Dr. Mburu. Esther Ngeno, formerly from the State Department of Performance Management at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, will assume the role of PS for Correctional Services.
Furthermore, there have been swaps in positions: Gitonga Mugambi and Ephantus Kimani have exchanged roles in the State Department of Forestry, while Kimani will now head the State Department of Irrigation. Jonathan Mueke, previously in the Sports docket, is now the PS for the State Department of Livestock.
These changes were discussed during a recent Cabinet meeting, where President Ruto stressed the importance of integrity and vigilance in government ministries and departments. He issued a strong warning against corruption and wastefulness, emphasizing the responsibility of the Cabinet to the Constitution and the people. The meeting also highlighted the need for prudent utilization of public resources.
