Nairobi, Kenya — In a move signaling continued political inclusivity, President William Ruto has appointed Prof. Makau Mutua as the Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs in the Executive Office of the President. The announcement was made on Wednesday evening through the President’s official social media channels.
“I have appointed Prof. Makau Mutua as the Senior Advisor of Constitutional Affairs in the Executive Office of the President,” President Ruto stated. “Prof. Mutua brings a wealth of experience in legal, constitutional, and human rights matters. Congratulations Prof. Mutua. I welcome you to join a dynamic team of public servants in the implementation of our Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.”
Prof. Mutua, a distinguished legal scholar, has been a prominent figure in Kenya’s academic and political spheres. He served as the Dean of the SUNY Buffalo School of Law from 2008 to 2014 and currently holds the position of SUNY Distinguished Professor and the Margaret W. Wong Professor at the same institution. His academic focus includes international human rights, international business transactions, and international law.
Educated at the University of Nairobi, the University of Dar es Salaam, and Harvard Law School, where he earned his Doctorate of Juridical Science in 1987, Prof. Mutua has been a vocal advocate for human rights and constitutional reform in Kenya. He previously served as the Associate Director of the Harvard Law School Human Rights Program and has been involved with the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
Politically, Prof. Mutua was a close ally of opposition leader Raila Odinga, serving as the spokesperson for Odinga’s 2022 presidential campaign under the Azimio la Umoja coalition. His appointment follows a recent trend of incorporating opposition figures into the government, reflecting a broader political rapprochement between President Ruto and Mr. Odinga.
Upon his appointment, Prof. Mutua expressed gratitude and commitment to his new role. “I am grateful to His Excellency President William Ruto for appointing me Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs in the Executive Office of the President,” he said. “Our Constitution is the beating heart of the Republic. Mr. President, I promise to serve you and our fellow citizens with diligence, honour, and distinction.”
The inclusion of Prof. Mutua in the executive office is seen by many as a strategic move to bridge political divides and foster a more inclusive governance approach. It underscores President Ruto’s commitment to a broad-based government and the implementation of his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
