Aden Duale
President William Ruto has undertaken a significant cabinet reshuffle, marked by the elevation of loyalists and the dismissal of dissenting voices.
Aden Duale, a long-term ally of the President, has been appointed to head the crucial Health Ministry, replacing Dr Deborah Barasa, who will now oversee the Environment portfolio, previously held by Duale. The changes come as Justin Muturi, former head of Public Service and Human Capital, was ousted from the administration following public criticism of the government regarding alleged state-sponsored abductions. Hanna Wendot has been nominated as the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage.
Muturi’s removal underscores the challenges Ruto faces in maintaining unity within the diverse political factions of his coalition. His departure and the subsequent appointment of Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku, known for his loyalty to the President and for championing a controversial bill aimed at regulating protests, will weaken the Democratic Party (DP), a constituent member of the Kenya Kwanza coalition. Ruku's appointment will trigger a by-election in Mbeere North, a region where Ruto's support is reportedly declining.
The outcome of this by-election will serve as a key indicator of Ruto's political strength in the Mt. Kenya region and could embolden opposition forces. Duale's appointment to the Health Ministry signals Ruto's reliance on trusted figures. Despite his previous tenure as Defense Secretary and his move to the Environment ministry, his long-standing loyalty has earned him a position overseeing a critical sector.
Duale has expressed his gratitude to President William Ruto for the appointment, marking his third cabinet position since 2022, having previously served as the Defence CS. Duale emphasizes his commitment to advancing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program, aiming to ensure equitable healthcare access for all Kenyans, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations.
He says, "The prosperity of a nation depends on the health of its people. In my new role, I remain committed to working with relevant stakeholders in driving government policies that strengthen healthcare delivery, ensuring accessible and quality services for all Kenyans."
Duale highlights that health is central to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and expresses his intention to promote inter-ministerial collaboration to enhance service delivery. The cabinet reshuffle, the fourth since President Ruto assumed office in 2022, also saw the nomination of Hanna Cheptumo for the Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage docket.