In the unpredictable Kenyan politics, the moves by individuals who have once occupied the prestigious role of Cabinet Secretary (CS) under the presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta have garnered significant attention.
Some of these former cabinet members once responsible for overseeing key government ministries, have embarked on journeys that have led them to occupy powerful positions within the Kenya Kwanza government, sparking discussions about the implications and consequences of such transitions.
This article revisits how some of former CSs are wielding massive power in President William Ruto’s regime.
Davis Chirchir, the Energy of Uhuru & Ruto
Energy and Petroleum CS Davis Chirchir is one of retired President Uhuru’s CSs who are still in the limelight.
Moreover, the IT guru served as Information Technology director at the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).
Also Read: 3 Things Keeping Uhuru-Era CSs Busy
Chirchir served in President Uhuru’s first cabinet between 2013 and 2015 in the same docket he is currently holding.
The CS served as United Republican Party (URP) Secretary General between 2011 and 2013.
President Ruto was the party leader of URP before it was folded along other parities to form the Jubilee Party (JP).
In the 2017 elections, Chirchir was Uhuru’s chief presidential agent, and he played a key role in his reelection.
Ahead of the 2022 general elections, CS Chirchir was appointed Chief of Staff in the office of the Deputy President (DP), then William Ruto.
Additionally, Chirchir was one of Ruto’s presidential agents who observed the tallying off votes at the Bomas of Kenya. Chirchir left the cabinet in 2015 on allegations of graft.
Simon Chelugui
Simon Chelugui is the CS who served under Uhuru’s second term whose tenure was extended by President Ruto.
Chelugui was sworn as CS for Cooperatives and Micro and Small Enterprise on October 27, 2022, after facing the National Assembly Committee.
Before Ruto’s reappointment, Chelugui was the CS for Labour and Social Protection.
Also, he served as CS for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation during the Jubilee era.
However, he was fired after President Ruto dissolved his cabinet on July 11, 2024.
Charles Keter
President Ruto appointed former CS Charles Keter as his advisor on Great Lakes Region Affairs after losing the Kericho gubernatorial seat in the 2022 elections.
Keter served as a minister in the last three governments i.e in the Coalition government, Jubilee government and the Keny Kwanza government.
Similarly, he bounced onto the political scene when he won the Belgut parliamentary seat in 2002, a position he held up to 2013.
Between 2008 and 2013, the Late President Mwai Kibaki appointed Keter as Minister for Energy.
Despite winning the Kericho Senatorial seat in 2013, Keter resigned in 2015 to take over from Chirchir as the CS for Energy and Petroleum.
He held this position up to 2021 when he was moved to the Ministry of Devolution in 2021.
Also Read: Gachagua Warned Against Attacking Moses Kuria
Monica Juma
Dr. Monica Juma, who served in three key ministries under Uhuru currently serves as National Security Advisor to President Ruto.
Between 2013 July and 2018 February, Dr. Juma served as Principal Secretary in the ministry of Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs.
Further, she served as CS for Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2020 before being moved to Defence.
Prior to her appointment as Ruto’s advisor, Juma served as Energy and Petroleum for a month.
Felix Koskei
The former CS replaced Joseph Kinyua as the Head of Public Service when President took over office.
Also, Koskei doubles as the State House Chief of Staff in the Kenya Kwanza government.
In Uhuru’s first term, Koskei served as CS for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
Phyllis Kandie
Phyllis Kandie is the recent Uhuru’s CS appointed by President Ruto.
On September 19, 2023, Kandie was appointed as Ruto’s advisor for Commodities Market Development.
Kandie who was CS for East Africa and Labor from 2013 until 2018 adds to the list of Uhuru’s CSs serving in Ruto’s government.
Also, she served as Kenyan Ambassador to Belgium during Jubilee’s second term.
Eng. Michael Kamau
Eng. Michael Kamau is the current chair of the board of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
In December 2022, President Ruto appointed the former CS to lead NHIF for a period of three years.
Kamau served as CS for Transport and Infrastructure from 2013 to March 2015 when he was suspended due to corruption allegations.
