Big names fall as Ruto dissolves Cabinet

Although they were all shocked by the snap dissolution of Cabinet, some big names, including those who resigned from their elective seats to join the Executive are the biggest casualty of the fresh development.

The departures of former Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, former Defence CS Aden Duale, and their Internal Security counterpart Kithure Kindiki seem particularly significant.

Kithure Kindiki

Abraham Kithure Kindiki, a resident of Irunduni village in Tharaka Nithi County is the devolved unit's former senator and immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security, one of the most sensitive dockets in any administration.

Before the 2022 general polls, President William Ruto convinced the Professor of Law to drop his gubernatorial ambitions, becoming a CS in waiting after losing the running mate slot to DP Rigathi Gachagua.

He was not only a close confidant of President Ruto but also a personal lawyer, when the turbulent waters of the International Criminal Court (ICC) came knocking on Ruto’s doorstep.

His exit from Cabinet, comes even as he worked to silence the guns in banditry prone zones, pushed for modernisation of equipment for security agencies and spearheaded the establishment and operationalization of more administrative units to bring government services closer to the people.

Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u

When he took over the leadership mantle in September 2022, President William Ruto acquired the services of Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, to try and turn the fortunes of the country’s economy which was in a sick bed. The soft-spoken professor, although a technocrat, had served as the Governor of Central Bank for two terms from 2007 to 2015.

Kipchumba Murkomen, Former CS Transport

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, bid farewell to his colleagues in the Senate, just days after securing his CS seat.

Murkomen, one of President Ruto’s most trusted foot soldiers, was however not saved when the hour of reckoning came.

Soipan Tuya

Moments after Murkomen's moving farewell speech, his counterpart nominated Senator Rosalinda Soipan Tuya, was also on the floor thanking members as she crossed over to the executive.

A few metres from the Senate, their colleagues in the National Assembly, led by the then Garissa Township MP Aden Barre Duale, was also making his last tributes as a Member of Parliament.

Duale, who is on record saying he would retire from politics if Ruto became President, was however on the chopping board Thursday.

Others are Alice Wahome, who had only secured her third term as the legislator for Kandara, moving into the turbulent waters of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, before concluding her tour of duty at the Ministry of Lands. She was also named in President Ruto’s shortlist for running mate in 2022.

Former Public Service and Delivery Management CS Moses Kuria axing came months after being demoted from the powerful Trade docket. Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, who was preparing to take Kenya’s team to the Paris Olympics also suffered a blow.

Former Tourism CS Alfred Mutua, who was the leader of the Maendeleo Chap Chap party, is also in the serious casualty section.

Others who were left dumbfounded include Information Communication and the Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo, who was the sole CS in Ruto’s cabinet from the Luo-Nyanza region.

Others include Justin Bedan Muturi, who until today was the Attorney General, he was also shown the door. Muturi served as the National Assembly Speaker for two terms.

Lands CS Zachary Njeru, Peninnah Malonza CS African Community, the Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASALs) & Regional Development, Aisha Jumwa of Gender, and Labour’s Florence Bore were some of those who may have a quiet exit.