President William Ruto has named a new Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Tourism and Wildlife even after the current office holder Najib Balala requested to be retained.
Ruto picked Penina Malonza as the new CS for Tourism and Wildlife as he unveiled his Cabinet on Tuesday, November 27, 2022.
Outgoing Tourism CS congratulated Ruto on naming his new Cabinet even after he was left out.
“Congratulations to President Dr. @WilliamsRuto on unveiling your New Cabinet Team. I am honoured to have served my country for the past 24 years, since being Mombasa Mayor, in 1998, to now serving as the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife,” Najib Balala tweeted.
“I welcome the appointment of Hon. Peninah Malonza as the New Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage. You have my full support. God Bless Kenya,” he added.
2/2 I welcome the appointment of Hon. Peninah Malonza as the New Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage. You have my full support.
— Hon. Najib Balala (@tunajibu) September 27, 2022
God Bless Kenya 🇰🇪
Balala requested Ruto to retain him as CS
Speaking during the release of a report on the performance of Kenya’s tourism sector early this month, the outgoing Tourism CS appealed to Ruto to allow him to serve in his government.
“I am happy and humbled and I thank President Kenyatta for giving me the chance to serve the nation. I welcome President Ruto and I am ready to serve in his government whenever it’s necessary,” Balala said.
Miguna Miguna angrily slammed Balala after he requested Ruto to retain him in the new government.
Miguna asked the outgoing Tourism CS to move on, reminding him of the unemployment crisis currently facing the country.
“To my friend Najib Balala (@tunajibu), you are NOT the only Kenyan who was born to serve as cabinet secretary for tourism. You have held that position for more than 15 years. That’s enough. Move on. Retire. Find something else to do. There are 35 million UNEMPLOYED KENYANS,” he twisted.
To my friend Najib Balala (@tunajibu), you are NOT the only Kenyan who was born to serve as cabinet secretary for tourism. You have held that position for more than 15 years. That's enough. Move on. Retire. Find something else to do. There are 35 million UNEMPLOYED KENYANS.
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) September 9, 2022
Outgoing Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS) Simon Chelugui is the only Cabinet member in retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Cabinet to be retained by Ruto.
The President appointed Chelugui as the new CS for Cooperatives and Micro, Small & Medium Size Enterprises (MSMEs).
