Rotich sacked as Uhuru appoints Ukur Yatani acting Treasury CS

Ukur Yatani has been appointed as the acting National Treasury CS a day after Henry Rotich was charged over the Arror-Kimwarer dams scandal.

The Labour and Social Protection CS will now hold two dockets until further notice.

“This will ensure smooth operations and continuity at the National Treasury following the court order affecting Rotich and his PS Kamau Thugge,” a statement from State House reads.

Dr Julius Monzi Muia replaces Thugge as the Treasury Prinicipal Secretary.

Other changes announced on Wednesday are that Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa will now be Defence PS.

Kihalangwa was previously the Immigration PS and takes over from Mr Torome Saitoti who has been moved to the State Department of Planning.

Also Read: 10 new faces in Uhuru’s Cabinet

Yatani was nominated as Labour CS in January last year in Cabinet changes that sparked speculations over a widening rift between President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.

President Kenyatta named a partial Cabinet with Dr. Ruto conspicuously absent. Previous Cabinet changes had been made with the DP in tow.

Dr. Ruto later denied claims of a split in the Jubilee Government saying: “We should all give the president room to pick Cabinet Secretaries without speculating on who will make it or not.”

Yatani, 52, was sworn into office a month later, after a successful vetting process in the National Assembly. He had previously served as Marsabit Governor from 2013 to 2017.

On Wednesday, the President did not make the announcement on Cabinet changes at a Press conference but sent a press release signed by his Spokesperson Kanze Dena-Mararo.