Newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Gender, and Affirmative Action, Aisha Jumwa, the then Malindi Sub-County Member of Parliament, started her political career as an activist at the coast.
The outspoken coastal leader used to attend political meetings and yell herself hoarse over what she termed political injustices.
She once served as Takangu KANU youth leader and was elected Takangu Municipality Councilor twice between 1997 and 2007.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga frequently preferred Jumwa to Mekatilli Wa Menza, a well-known freedom fighter, due to her firmness, fearless nature, and confidence.
Subscribe to YouTube Channel at Switch TV.
Jumwa was elected as Kilifi woman representative in 2013 on the Orange Democratic Movement party (ODM).
Later, she became Malindi Township MP in the hotly contested election on the ODM party ticket in 2017.
“I was the first woman to be elected under the new Constitution as the Woman MP of Kilifi, then I shifted the goalpost to a single constituency and won as well. I feel I have something big to offer, thus my resolve,” she said.
The mother of three has been eyeing for Kilifi gubernatorial seat since 2015, and she says the vision is closer to reality.
“It’s time to take more significant responsibility for the people of Kilifi,” she said.
She proved her ambitions in the August 9 General Election after contesting for governor with a UDA ticket and losing to Azimio candidate Gideon Mung’aro and PAA Lawyer George Kithi.
However, that wasn’t the end of her political career. Since she was a UDA Party loyalist, Jumwa was awarded a Government ministry by President William Ruto.
Ruto appointed Jumwa as Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action Cabinet Secretary on Tuesday, September 27.
Among other appointed CSs were:
Njuguna Ndung’u (National Treasury and Planning), Alfred Mutua (Foreign and Diaspora Affairs), Professor Kithure Kindiki (Interior and National Administration) Aden Duale (Defence), and Alice Wahome (Water, Sanitation and Irrigation).
Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads and Transport), Soipan Tuya (Environment and Forestry), Zacharia Mwangi Njeru (Lands and Housing), Peninah Malonza (Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage), and Mithika Linturi (Agriculture and Livestock Development).
Susan Nakhumicha Wafula (Health) Eliud Owalo (Information and Communication Technology) Ezekiel Machogu (Education) Davis Chirchir (Energy and Petroleum) Ababu Namwamba (Sports and Youth Affairs).
Others were: Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives and MSMEs), Salim Mvurya (Mining) Moses Kuria (Trade, Investment, and Industry), Rebecca Miano (EAC, ASAL, and Regional Development), and Florence Bore (Labour).
President Ruto’s Cabinet is awaiting vetting and approval by the National Assembly.
