Kenya's Ruto names half-Cabinet amid continuing anti-govt protests
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenya's embattled President William Ruto named a partial Cabinet on Friday, five weeks after anti-government protests seeking his resignation from power started.
The Kenyan President retained a few old faces from his recently dissolved Cabinet and named a few technocrats to run the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Education.
In a televised speech from State House in Nairobi, President Ruto said he was continuing talks with other parties on the formation of a broad-based Cabinet.
The opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), was expected to join the new Cabinet but its main Coalition partners, the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, declined to join the government.
Professor. Kithure Kindiki, who served in the previous Cabinet, was again nominated to occupy the Interior Ministry.
Aden Duale was nominated for the post of Defense Ministry Cabinet Secretary.
Under the 2010 Kenyan constitution, officers serving within the Cabinet were named as Cabinet Secretaries, which make them much junior compared to other politicians.
The title Cabinet Secretary, means they are serving at the behest of the President, who heads the Executive wing of the Government. They are appointed subject to the vetting and approval of Parliament.
President Ruto also named Rebecca Miano, who was serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Trade in the dissolved Cabinet, to the post of Attorney-General.
The Health Ministry would be headed by Deborah Mulongo Barasa, a new nominee.
Davis Chirchir, who served as energy Ministry Cabinet Secretary, will serve as Roads and Transport Secretary.
Alice Wahome will become the Cabinet Secretary for Land and Housing.
The President retained Soipan Tuya as the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Climate Change.
Education Ministry will be led by Julius Migosi Ogamba once Parliament approves the nomination.
Erick Muriithi Muuga was nominated for the post of Water and Sanitation.
Andrew Mwihia Karanja was named the nominee for the significant Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Margaret Ndun'gu was nominated for the post of Cabinet Secretary, Information and Communication Ministry.
The nominees will be required to face interviews and public vetting before Parliamentary Committee on Appointments.
Parliament went on recess after anti-government protesters stormed the House and destroyed portions of the building which caught fire.
The House was left in disarray with broken windows.
-0- PANA AO/RA 19July2024
