President William Ruto has made a dramatic shift by reappointing former Cabinet Secretaries Eliud Owalo and Moses Kuria to significant new roles, just months after their dismissals from the Cabinet.
This move signals a renewed focus on rewarding his loyalists despite Kenyans being up in arms over previous appointments. According to Ruto, however, the appointments are part of the team to advance his Bottom Up Economic Agenda (BETA).
Ruto had left out 12 of his former Cabinet Secretaries in his new broad-based government, that includes five members allied to opposition leader Raila Odinga. Kuria and Owalo were among them.
In a move that has captured widespread attention, Ruto has elevated Eliud Owalo, previously the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication & Digital Economy, to the role of Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance & Delivery Management.
According to the notice issued by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on August 23, Owalo’s new role is positioned at a ministerial level, emphasising his responsibility for overseeing the effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the government's priority projects.
Owalo’s appointment is seen as a strategic step to enhance the efficiency of government operations. His role will involve managing the performance of various government ministries, departments, and agencies, ensuring that they align with the ambitious BETA plan.
This plan, aimed at driving economic growth from the grassroots, will rely heavily on Owalo’s expertise in performance management and delivery.
Moses Kuria, who was formerly the Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Public Service, has been appointed as a Senior Advisor in the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. This role is expected to leverage Kuria’s extensive experience to bolster the implementation of the BETA plan.
As a Senior Advisor, Kuria will provide high-level economic guidance and strategic advice, contributing to the formulation and execution of policies intended to invigorate Kenya’s economic landscape.
The reappointments come amid ongoing scrutiny of Ruto’s administration and its ability to fulfill its economic promises. By reinstating Owalo and Kuria, Ruto appears to be banking on their previous experience and insights to navigate the complex challenges facing his administration.
The strategic placements are designed to strengthen his team’s capacity to deliver on the ambitious economic goals outlined in the BETA plan.
Dennis Itumbi, known for his role as a prominent political commentator and strategist, has been appointed to head the Creative Economy and Special Projects in the Executive Office of the President.
Itumbi’s new role, which was also approved by the Public Service Commission, reflects the administration’s drive towards innovation and growth in Kenya’s economic sector. His responsibilities will include spearheading initiatives aimed at nurturing and expanding the creative economy, a sector seen as pivotal for future economic diversification.
