Why seven Cabinet members were replaced

President William Ruto during a press briefing where he nominated new Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General at State House, Nairobi. He is flagged by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. [PCS]

At least seven of the 22 former Cabinet Secretaries who served in President William Ruto’s administration have been replaced.

It is not clear whether some may be recalled as the president walks a tightrope in completing setting up of his new Cabinet in coming days. He recalled six as one was allocated the Attorney General position.

They were replaced on Friday when Ruto announced part of his Cabinet, filling the positions previously held by Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads), Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), Susan Nakhumicha (Health), Zacharia Njeru (Water), Eliud Owalo (ICT), Ezekiel Machogu (Education), and Justin Muturi (Attorney General).

The former CSs whose positions have now been filled, were widely regarded across the country as embodying unprofessionalism. Their actions, often seen as extravagant and insensitive, led to public outcry, especially as Kenyans struggled through challenging economic times.

Murkomen, who lost his Roads docket to a colleague, Davis Chirchir of Energy, stunned Kenyans when he seemed to lose the restraint that public servants are by all accounts supposed to reflect while in office and revealed on a social media platform some of the expensive items he owns.

He verbally flaunted a Sh900,000 watch, a belt worth between Sh40,000 and 50,000, and shoes worth between Sh70,000 to Sh80,000.

Kenyans wondered how he could afford such luxurious items at a time the current government has made life difficult through over-taxation.

On his part, Mithika Linturi’s short stint at Agriculture ministry was marred by controversies and scandals, the recent being subsidized fertilizer. He survived an impeachment by Parliament through a motion that Bumula MP Jack Wamboka tabled.

Before his appointment he faced a criminal case, where he was accused of committing an indecent act with an adult on January 30, 2021 at Maiyan Villas Resort in Nanyuki, Laikipia County. Linturi is said to have committed the offence at around 3am, the charge sheet read.

Three years ago, he was arrested over fraud, forgery, and impersonation allegations. Linturi, who was arrested while heading to the Senate was briefly detained at the DCI Headquarters on Kiambu Road before being released on a police bond and directed to present himself to the detectives the following day.

Susan Nakhumicha now relieved off her duties at the helm of the Health ministry also had her own share of controversy. Last year, a video emerged showing an enraged Nakhumicha ordering transfer of an Officer Commanding Matisi Police Station, John Thuo. It was at a funeral of one of her ardent supporters who was said to have been killed by unknown persons. Besides herself with fury she caused a storm.

The former CS, who Debra Mulongo will replace if parliament approves, asserted that she could order OCS Matisi’s dismissal. Despite that, the OCS still has his job. 

At 68, sacked Education CS Ezekiel Machogu could perhaps have been the oldest in Ruto’s cabinet. He will be replaced by Julius Ogamba. Critics say many of the sector’s challenges remain unresolved and have called for a more substantial and decisive leader to run Education, Kenya’s most expensive docket in budgetary allocation - it has always run away with the lion’s share at every budget ritual.

According to political and current affairs commentator Andrew Nyabuto, it was good riddance for the seven CSs. “Kenyans expected Ruto- like the mythological phoenix bird to rise from the ashes after the devastating protests that brought to question his leadership skills,” he said of the new appointments.

Nyabuto observed that unlike the late President Daniel Moi, who was more innovative in devising the dream team to run his government, which enabled him to restore confidence in the donor community, Ruto has failed to seize the opportunity presented by Generation Z.

Eliud Owalo, the ICT CS  came under sharp scrutiny from the public for his political forays in Nyanza rather than running the information docket . He was widely perceived as one of Ruto’s critical figures in Luo Nyanza, a role that overshadowed his position as a CS tasked with leading Kenya Kwanza’s digital agenda.

Soon after Ruto’s narrow electoral victory, Owalo, who Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u replaced, splashed huge billboard welcoming the Head of State to Nyanza, the bastion of ODM leader Raila Odinga.

“Owalo was seen more of a Ruto point man rather than a CS.  He was more involved in ensuring Ruto made inroads in Nyanza and not dealing with issues related to ICT,” opined Nyabuto.

Justin Muturi, the former Attorney General, was replaced in the Friday evening announcement by Rebecca Miano. The former chief government legal adviser was also in the spotlight as courts declared some of the Ruto administration’s major decisions unconstitutional.

Muturi was also said to have resisted appending the seal of approval to high-sounding projects and pending debt payouts that came with glaring legal red flags.

On his part, Zachariah Njeru has been replaced by Eric Muriithi Muuga in the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation. Pundits say Njeru might have been one of the cabinet secretaries President Ruto once said they were clueless.

“Remember sometime in August 2023 during the signing of performance contracts at State House, Nairobi, the president scolded some Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries who he said had scanty information about the dockets they hold.  Njeru must have been one of them,” claimed Nyabuto.