Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti makes surprise Cabinet reshuffle

The changes, which take effect immediately, affect a number of County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and dozens of chief officers.

The County Executive Committee members affected in the reshuffle include Nathaniel Nganga (Roads, Transport and Public Works) who has been moved to the Department of Lands, Urban Development, Housing and Energy. 

Education CECM Joyce Mwikali is now the new minister in charge of Devolution while Lands CECM, Philip Kilonzo has been moved to take charge of the Education docket.

Wavinya’s reshuffle has also seen Ms. Consolata Mutisya exit the Devolution docket to take over responsibilities in the Roads, Transport and Public Works Department.

In a widely unexpected move, Wavinya moved the Chief Officer serving in her office, Mercy Mutua and redeployed her to take charge of County Administration and Decentralized Units in the same capacity.

Her place has now been taken over by Charles Mutinda, who until this afternoon was the Chief Officer for Education. The changes also affect Antony Mutunga (Lands) who has been moved to the Department of Agriculture in charge of Cooperative Development.

Vincent Musili also left the Tourism Department to become the new Chief Officer for Agriculture and Food Security. 

At the same time, Muia Andrew Muema is now the Chief Officer for Environment having been moved from the Department of Agriculture in the same capacity. Benson Metho also moved from the Department of Water where he was in charge of Environment to become the new Lands Chief Officer.

County Ministers who survived the reshuffle include Daniel Yumbya (Health), Joel Nzomo (Agriculture), Onesimus Kuyu (Finance) and Sharon Mutua (Trade).

The governor pointed out that the changes were aimed at ensuring the right people were in the right positions to drive her development agenda coiled in her Chakula Mezani Pesa Mfukoni Philosophy.

“I have taken the decision to reorganize the leadership of my government in order to achieve better efficiency in the delivery of services to the residents of Machakos,” Wavinya declared at a surprise press conference convened at Matuu County Lodge in Yatta Sub County.