President Ruto reshuffles Principal Secretaries

Nairobi, Kenya – President William Ruto has made significant changes within the government, restructuring the ranks of Principal Secretaries (PSs) and sanctioning new appointments to Kenya’s foreign service.

According to the government, the reshuffle, announced on March 20, is in line with Ruto’s Bottom Up Agenda, aimed at accelerating social-economic development, diplomatic engagement, and service delivery across key government sectors.

Critics however see this as the usual attempts to please members of the opposition, especially coming in the wake of the recent close relations between raila Odinga and William Ruto.

Prof Edward Kisiang’ani has been appointed as Senior advisor and member  office of the President’s Council on Economic Reforms.

Key Changes in Principal Secretaries

President Ruto has reassigned several Principal Secretaries, with some being moved to new ministries while others have been recalled or redeployed. The reshuffle comes amid growing calls for improved public service delivery and economic transformation.

Among the notable changes is the reassignment of long serving  Education PS Dr Belio Kipsang who has been moved to the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services.  Kipsang has switched places with Julius Bitok who has headed the Immigration docket since December 2022 but has in the recent changes been transferred to the state department for basic Education, Ministry of Education.

Kipsang has been at the centre of the education reforms and the implementation of the competency-based curriculum.

At the Immigration Department, Bitok led spirited efforts to reduce historical passport backlogs blamed on corruption and inefficiency. He introduces a raft of measures, including the removal of a requirement to book an appointment to collect a passport.

Bitok also oversaw the delivery of a new passport printer to augument capacity at the Immigration Department.

President Ruto also nominated popular Doctor and activist Dr. Ouma Oluga as the new Principal Secretary for Medical Services replacing Harry Kimtai.

Oluga has served as Chief Officer for Health in Nairobi County and previously served as Secretary-General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), where he was known for advocating health sector reforms and leading critical negotiations with the government.

Oluga was nominated alongside 13 other Principal Secretaries;

• Jane Kare Imbuya – State Department for Public Service & Human Capital Development
• Regina Akoth Ombam – State Department for Trade
• Cyrell Wagunda Odede – State Department for Public Investments & Assets Management
• Caroline Wanjiru Karugu – State Department for East African Community (EAC) Affairs
• Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim – State Department for National Government Coordination, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary
• Judith Naiyai Pareno – State Department for Justice, Human Rights & Constitutional Affairs
• Bonface Makokha – State Department for Economic Planning
• Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat – State Department for Science, Research & Innovation
• Stephen Isaboke – State Department for Broadcasting & Telecommunications
• Michael Lenasalon – State Department for Devolution
• Fikirini Katoi Kahindi Jacobs – State Department for Youth Affairs
• Carren Ageng’o Achieng – State Department for Children Welfare Services
• Aden Abdi Millah – State Department for Shipping & Maritime Affairs

Key Foreign Service Appointments

In addition to domestic changes, President Ruto has sanctioned a series of diplomatic appointments, reinforcing Kenya’s foreign policy agenda. The new assignments come at a time when Kenya is bolstering its diplomatic relations regionally and globally.

Key postings include:

Susan Nakumincha Wafula has been appointed as Kenya’s permanent mission to the UN Habitat, Nairobi.

DR Alfred Ombudo was posted as Deputy Head of Missions, Brussels, Belgium.

These appointments underscore the government’s focus on economic diplomacy, regional cooperation, and strategic international partnerships.

Kenyans will be watching closely to assess the impact of these shifts on governance, public service, and international relations.