Widow of late Baringo senator tapped for Gender CS role
Just weeks after the tragic passing of her husband, Senator William Cheptumo, his widow, Hanna Wendot, has been nominated to a prestigious state position.
Hanna has been nominated as the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, a role initially designated for Stella Soi Lang’at. However, Lang’at’s nomination was unsuccessful in August 2024 after it was rejected
Her rejection was attributed to her failure to demonstrate strategic planning and cultural sensitivity, as well as being deemed an ineffective communicator.
In an announcement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, President Ruto also reshuffled Environment CS Aden Duale to the Health Ministry, replacing him with Health CS Debora Barasa.
According to the statement released by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, these changes are intended to ensure the Cabinet functions at full constitutional capacity, strengthening the government’s ability to drive Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.
In the nominations, Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku was also given a chance to head the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes.
“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.
PS reshuffle
The Cabinet shake-up follows a recent government reorganisation 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 organisation 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.
