CS Omamo teary-eyed during President Kenyatta's military farewell

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Raychelle Omamo was teary eyed on Friday during President Uhuru Kenyatta's military farewell held at the Department of Defense (DOD) headquarters in Nairobi.

In a video that has since gone viral, Omamo, who was walking just a few metres away from President Kenyatta, can be seen holding back tears as the outgoing Head of State bid farewell to members of the disciplined forces and civilians who were on the premises at the time.

Omamo, whose first stint in President Kenyatta's cabinet was as Defence CS, used a handkerchief to wipe away her tears before composing herself and continuing on with the procession.

Earlier in the day, President Kenyatta paid homage to all Kenyans who supported him during his reign, noting that their involvement in his administration allowed the country to make significant developmental progress over the course of his nearly ten-year reign at State House.

Omamo led the Defence docket from 2013 to 2020 to become the first woman in Kenya's history to hold the position after President Kenyatta handpicked her to oversee operations at the Kenya Army, Air Force and Navy.

In the same period she also chaired the National Defence Council.

Prior to her appointment as Defence CS, Omamo served as CS for Labour and Social protection, albeit in an acting capacity.

A lawyer by profession, Omamo has done stints in a number of Kenya Government task forces and commissions related to the advancement of the rule of law such as the Task Force on Landlord and Tenant Law; the Task Force on the Establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and as Counsel to the Ndung’u Commission.

She has also previously served as Kenya's ambassador to France and Chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK)

Her political fate hangs in the balance as President Kenyatta is set to hand over the reins to President-elect William Ruto on September 13, 2022.

It remains unclear whether the President-elect will move her on to a different docket or oust her from his Cabinet all together.