Hardly a week after he nominated the first batch of Cabinet Secretaries, President William Ruto on Wednesday announced the second batch of cabinet secretary nominees.
While addressing the press at State House in Nairobi, the Head of State nominated John Mbadi (National Treasury), Salim Mvurya (Investment Trade and Industry), Rebecca Miano and (Tourism and Wildlife).
Other included Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), and Kipchumba Murkomen (Youth Affairs and Creative Economy and Sports).
Ruto also nominated Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs Development), Justin Muturi (Public Service), and Stella Langat (Gender, Culture, Arts & Heritage).
John Mbadi - Ministry of National Treasury
The national treasury CS nominee is a seasoned politician who currently serves as the chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement party and a nominated Member of Parliament.
Mbadi possesses twenty-eight years of experience in the fields of Finance, Leadership, and Politics.
He possesses extensive knowledge in Public Finance, encompassing Accounting, Budgeting, Taxation, Auditing, and Finance Management.
Mbadi also holds a Bachelor of Commerce, accounting option from the University of Nairobi and whose qualification was ratified by the public accountant of Kenya.
His career trajectory includes roles ranging from accountant to Finance Director, culminating in his current position as Chair of the ODM Party secretariat on finance matters.
In the National Assembly, Mbadi served as the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, responsible for holding Ministries, Departments, and Agencies accountable on public finance matters.
He has also held various leadership roles within the National Assembly, chairing and participating in multiple committees that oversee different sectors of government.
James Opiyo Wandayi - Ministry of Energy and Petroleum
Opiyo Wandayi, the cabinet secretary nominee for energy and petroleum is currently the Leader of the Minority Party in the National Assembly.
He is serving his third consecutive term as the Ugunja Sub-County legislator having been elected to Parliament for the first time in 2013.
Wandayi holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi. In addition, he also possesses a Master's degree in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and a Diploma in Business Management from the Kenya Institute of Management.
He has recently obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Daystar University.
Between 2017 and 2022, Wandayi served as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). During his tenure, he provided leadership to the premier parliamentary watchdog committee in interrogating the use of public funds.
Stella Soi Langat - Ministry of Gender and Culture
Langat, the CS nominee for the Gender and Culture holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nairobi.
She also possesses a Master's degree in public administration from Moi University. She is the current director of the Ministry of Interior and Administration.
Between 2021 and 2024, Soi served as the director of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Before his appointment to the Ministry of Housing, Soi served as the Bomet county secretary.
Ali Hassan Joho - Ministry of Mining
Hassan Joho, the former Mombasa Governor was on Wednesday nominated to the Ministry of Mining in President Ruto's administration.
His nomination comes with a wealth of experience as a politician and businessman. Before becoming a governor in 2013, Joho served as the Kisauni Member of the National Assembly after winning the elections in 2007.
Joho made his political debut in 2004 when he was appointed the Kisauni party chairman for the Liberal Democratic Party between 2006 and 2007 when he vied for the MP position for Kisauni Sub-County.
Wycliffe Oparanya - Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development
Wycliffe Oparanya, the cabinet secretary nominee for cooperatives is the former governor of Kakamega County. He is also the former Chairman of the Council of Governors (COG).
Oparanya is a certified public accountant and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
He is a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and is one of the party’s Deputy Party Leaders.
While serving as COG Chairman, Oparanya was part of the Covid-19 task force which advised President Uhuru Kenyatta on the pandemic. The COG recommended lockdowns, cessation of movements, strategies to revise the economy, tax reliefs and upgrade of county hospitals to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In October 2020, the governor was named as the best-performing governor in a study by Infotrak Research and Consulting for 2019-2020. Kakamega remained the best overall performing county even in terms of delivery of services.
