Mixed reactions as President Ruto reshuffles Cabinet

President William Ruto’s recent reshuffling of his cabinet on Wednesday, March 26, has sparked mixed reactions, with congratulatory messages pouring in while others criticize the changes.

In the latest reshuffle, Aden Duale was moved to the Health Ministry, taking over from Deborah Barasa, who was reassigned to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Duale, in a post on X, expressed his gratitude to the president for placing his trust and confidence in him.

Wasting no time in embracing his new role, Duale stated: "The prosperity of a nation depends on the health of its people. In my new role, I remain committed to working with relevant stakeholders to drive government policies that strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure accessible and quality services for all Kenyans.”

“A key priority will be advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to guarantee equitable healthcare access, especially for vulnerable populations,” he added.

However, since his appointment, both leaders and netizens have questioned the qualifications that earned Duale the new position.

Transnzoia Governor George Natembeya expressed skepticism, stating: “Father lord! Duale will be in charge of SHA now! I doubt if your transfers are based on merit. The health docket is too big to be managed by you! Anyway, friendship over service delivery.”

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Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai echoed similar concerns, urging the new appointees to tackle cartels head-on: “I hope that Deborah Barasa won't bring incompetence into the Environment docket. I hope that Duale would deal with the Ministry of Health cartels led by PS Muthoni, who is determined to sabotage the President’s SHA rollout. President Ruto defeated the saboteurs,” said Alai.

On social media, many netizens have raised questions about Duale’s qualifications, pointing out that this marks his third cabinet posting in just two years.

One X user remarked: “I know CS positions are mainly political, but shouldn't there be some qualifications or something? Like, what business does Duale have being CS for health? They move you around like you have no particular expertise.”

This reshuffle marks Duale’s third cabinet position, having previously served in the Defence and Environment dockets.

Now, he faces the challenging task of addressing issues at Afya House, becoming the third person to serve as CS for Health under President Ruto's administration.

Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku, on the other hand, who was appointed as the new Public Service CS, also expressed his gratitude to the President, promising to serve with honor.

“I was not aware at all that such a nomination could happen today, and the president can nominate me as a cabinet secretary. I think in his own wisdom, he has seen it as good that I serve. I want to thank him, and in case the National Assembly does the vetting and I’m successful and sworn in, I will serve with great honor, serving the people of Mbeere North,” Ruku said.

Additionally, the late Baringo Senator’s wife, Hanna Cheptumo, who was nominated as the new Gender CS, thanked the president “for believing in me and nominating me.”

The reshuffle has certainly stirred conversations across the country, with some expressing optimism about the new appointees, while others remain wary of their qualifications and the challenges they will face in their new roles.