Ruto reassigns Duale as Health CS
President William Ruto has made further changes to his Cabinet, reassigning Aden Duale from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry to the Ministry of Health in a move aimed at strengthening his administration’s capacity to implement key policies.
In an executive order issued on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Ruto announced a series of portfolio reassignments and new Cabinet nominations, marking another significant shake-up in his government.
Duale, who has been at the helm of the Environment Ministry, now takes over the Health docket, replacing Deborah Mlongo Barasa, who has been moved to head the Environment Ministry.
According to a statement from Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the changes are designed to ensure the Cabinet operates at full constitutional strength and enhance the government’s ability to drive Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.
“The two nominees are expected to bring to Cabinet not only the knowledge and experience acquired over the course of their illustrious careers but, above all, their wisdom accumulated from their inspiring and diverse life journeys,” the statement read in part.
In addition to the reassignments, Ruto nominated two new Cabinet Secretaries—Hanna Wendot Cheptumo for the Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts & Heritage and Mbeere MP Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku for the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development & Special Programmes.
PS reshuffle
The Cabinet shake-up follows a recent government reorganization that saw Ruto nominate new Principal Secretaries (PSs) to various state departments.
In a gazette notice dated March 20, 2025, the president forwarded the names of the new nominees to the National Assembly for vetting and approval.
“His Excellency the president has today instituted changes to the organization of government. The Presidential Action serialized as Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, causes nominations to and reassignments of state departments, as well as postings to the nation’s foreign service,” the notice read.
Ruto justified the changes as a necessary step to harness emerging economic opportunities and address pressing social challenges while accelerating the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Among the key nominees, Jane Imbunya was named PS for the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development, while Regina Akoth Ombam was nominated for the State Department for Trade. Cyrell Odede was selected for the State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management.
Other notable appointments include Caroline Kangu for East African Community Affairs, Fredrick Ouma Oluga for Medical Services, and Ahmed Ibrahim for National Government Coordination.
Former legislator Judith Pareno was nominated as PS for Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs, while Boniface Makokha was appointed to head Economic Planning.
Stephen Isaboke was picked for the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications.
Michael Lenasalon and Fikirini Jacobs were named to the State Departments for Devolution and Youth, respectively, while Carren Achieng was nominated for the State Department for Children Welfare Services.
