Weeks after President William Ruto reshuffled his cabinet, dropping two cabinet secretaries, former Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Dr Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u has rejected her nomination as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Ghana.
In a letter addressed to the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, currently vetting President William Ruto’s ambassadorial nominees, Ndung’u officially withdrew her acceptance of the role.
Her decision follows a recent cabinet reshuffle by President Ruto, which saw her demoted from the ICT docket.
Nyambura was scheduled to appear before the Defence, Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committee on Friday January 10 at 9:00am but instead wrote a letter declining the invite.
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Why Former ICT CS Margaret Nyambura Rejected Nomination
Her decision was made public by Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech, who chairs the committee.
The former CS cited personal and family issues in declining the offer.
“I would like to give my appreciation for the invitation to appear before the departmental committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations on January 10, 2025. Pursuant to section 6(10) of the Public Appointment Parliamentary Approval Act No.3 of 2011, I wish to inform you that I would not appear before the said committee at the time and venue specified for approval hearing.
“This has been compelled by my personal and family matters which matters taking into consideration would not allow me to take up the position as the High Commissioner to Ghana as nominated by President William Ruto,” Nyambura’s letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly read out by MP Nelson Koech stated.
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After announcing Nyambura’s decision, lawmaker Nelson Koech urged the Head of Public Service to consult with candidates before shortlisting them to prevent future instances of nominees declining appointments.
Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo was nominated to take over as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy.
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Ruto Reshuffles Cabinet
The reshuffle, announced by State House Chief of Staff Felix Koskei was part of Ruto’s efforts to realign his government for enhanced service delivery under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“These nominations and appointments are part of the President’s strategic realignment of government operations to better address the needs of Kenyans,” Koskei said.
Dr Nyambura was appointed to the cabinet in July 2024 to replace former CS Eliud Owalo after the anti-government protests witnessed in the country.
Ndung’u becomes the second high-profile nominee to turn down an ambassadorial appointment under Ruto’s administration, following the rejection by former Mugirango West MP, Vincent Kemosi last year.
Kemosi, who was nominated in March 2024, also cited personal and compelling family matters as the reason for his decision.
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