President William Ruto has executed a significant cabinet reshuffle barely days after naming a proposed cabinet, moving Aden Duale from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, and nominating Soipan Tuya as the new Defence Cabinet Secretary.
This shake-up comes amid mounting pressure on Ruto to address demands for a more dynamic and reform-focused cabinet.
The unexpected reshuffle announced through a submission to Parliament read by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, follows intense scrutiny and public dissatisfaction with Ruto's earlier cabinet choices.
The President's attempt to overhaul his team comes amid mounting criticism and pressure from various sectors, including youth groups, church leaders, and civil society organisations.
Duale, who has been the Defence CS, will now oversee environmental and climate issues, a role that Ruto has been keen on since taking power in 2022. Meanwhile, Tuya, previously in the Ministry of Environment, steps into the defence role.
This cabinet realignment follows the unveiling of Ruto's initial list of nominated Cabinet Secretaries on Friday, July 19. The proposed appointments had already stirred controversy, with many critics accusing Ruto of lacking genuine reform and continuing to favour established figures over new, invigorating voices.
The reappointment of several old faces, including Kithure Kindiki, Alice Wahome, Davis Chirchir, and Rebecca Miano, has been met with scepticism. Critics argue that the list fails to reflect the transformative change demanded by Kenya's youth, civil society, and church leaders, who have been vocal in their calls for a fresh approach.
Ruto’s task of reshaping his administration is complicated by the need to balance demands for change with the need to retain support from his political base as he prepares for the 2027 election.
The President is expected to announce additional cabinet positions soon, and speculation is rife about the potential involvement of opposition leader Raila Odinga in the selection process.
On Friday, the President's cabinet announcements were further overshadowed by a reported last-minute withdrawal of Odinga's nominees, throwing the final composition of the cabinet into uncertainty.
This move has intensified speculation about ongoing negotiations and the extent of Odinga’s influence on the new cabinet’s formation.
In a response to his reassignment, Duale expressed his gratitude through social media, stating, “I am grateful to President William Ruto for reassigning me to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry. I look forward to focusing on sustainable environmental management and addressing climate change challenges.”
Duale also quoted from the Quran, reflecting on the nature of change and the divine wisdom behind it.
