Nakhumicha lands ambassador role in government changes

Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto has nominated former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Habitat in Nairobi.

Nakhumicha’s nomination marks her return to government after her dismissal in July 2024.

A dispatch from Head of Public Service Felix Koskei dated Wednesday 19 said Nakhumicha’s appointment was part of a broader reorganisation of Kenya’s foreign service and government structure.

 The changes, outlined in Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, include new nominations and reassignments within state departments.

“The Presidential Action, serialized as Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, causes nominations to and re-assignments of State Departments, as well as postings to the nation's foreign service,” said Koskei.

State House said the appointments aim to strengthen Kenya’s engagement in emerging economic sectors and address pressing social challenges.

“Collectively, the changes seek to further accelerate the implementation of the Administration’s seminal socio-economic blueprint, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” the dispatch said.

Nakhumicha, who served as Health CS from October 2022 to July 2024, was removed alongside other Cabinet Secretaries after widespread public discontent with the government’s performance.

Her tenure was marred by frequent strikes by healthcare workers and stalled reforms in the public health sector.

Alongside Nakhumicha, Ruto nominated former Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum as ambassador to Kinshasa.

Other nominees include Alfred Ombudo and Geoffrey Kaituko as deputy heads of mission in Brussels and Rome, respectively.

EAC Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat was nominated consul-general to Arusha, while James Muhati was nominated consul-general to Guangzhou, China.

Ruto also promoted Public Service Principal Secretary Amos Gathecha to Deputy Head of Public Service in the Office of the President, pending parliamentary approval.

The new appointees will undergo vetting by the National Assembly before assuming office, in line with constitutional requirements.

Nakhumicha’s appointment comes months after the Cabinet endorsed a revised foreign policy, with Ruto seeking to realign Kenya’s diplomatic engagements.