President William Ruto presided over the swearing-in of new Cabinet Secretaries on Thursday, August 8, amid ongoing anti-government Nane Nane protests.
Ruto officially announced the appointments in the gazette on Wednesday, following approval from the National Assembly, effectively solidifying the new integral positions within his administration.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at State House, was attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, senior state officials, and the families of the newly appointed officials.
| Cabinet Secretary | Ministry |
|---|---|
| Kithure Kindiki | Interior and National Administration |
| Soipan Tuya | Defence |
| John Mbadi | National Treasury |
| Justin Muturi | Public Service |
| Aden Duale | Environment, Climate Change and Forestry |
| Alice Wahome | Lands |
| Julius Ogamba | Education |
| Davis Chirchir | Transport |
| Rebecca Miano | Tourism and Wildlife |
| Hassan Joho | Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs |
| Alfred Mutua | Labour and Social Protection |
| Eric Muuga | Water and Sanitation |
| Salim Mvurya | Investment, Trade and Industry |
| Debra Barasa | Health |
| Kipchumba Murkomen | Youth Affairs and Sports |
| Opiyo Wandayi | Energy |
| Margaret Nyambura | ICT and Digital Economy |
| Wycliffe Oparanya | Cooperatives |
| Andrew Karanja | Agriculture and Livestock Development |
Kithure Kindiki was the first to take the oath of office as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.
Soipan Tuya was next in line and was sworn in as the Defence CS, John Mbadi for the National Treasury, Justin Muturi for Public Service, and Aden Duale for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.
Following that, Lands CS Alice Wahome, Education CS Julius Ogamba, Transport CS Davis Chirchir, and Rebecca Miano for Tourism and Wildlife were inducted.
Hassan Joho was appointed as the head of the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, while Alfred Mutua was sworn in as CS for Labour and Social Protection. Eric Muuga for Water and Sanitation, Salim Mvurya for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Debra Barasa for Health, and Kipchumba Murkomen for Youth Affairs and Sports also commenced their new responsibilities.
Rounding off the appointments were Opiyo Wandayi as CS for Energy, Margaret Nyambura for ICT and Digital Economy, Wycliffe Oparanya for Cooperatives, and Andrew Karanja for Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Nane Nane Protests Heat Up in CBD
At the same time, in anticipation of possible anti-government demonstrations dubbed Nane Nane, Nairobi, the capital city, was on high alert as security forces increased their presence.
The mobilisation of security forces is in response to anticipated protests expressing dissatisfaction with President Ruto’s administration, now in its second year.
Concerns were raised about potential infiltration of the protests by “criminals,” leading the acting police chief to advise the public to steer clear of “protected areas,” such as the international airport and State House.
In the heart of the city, the police took action in the early hours of August 8, to disperse a gathering of protesters near Odeon and other popular areas in the CBD as tensions escalated.
Throughout the day, Nairobi remains tense, with citizens and businesses as they brace for NaneNane protests.
