Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) director for ICT, James Muhati, has been nominated as Principal Secretary for the state department for Economic Planning at the National Treasury.
Muhati was on Wednesday, November 2, named alongside 50 other PSs, who are awaiting approval from the National Assembly.
If approved, Muhati will replace the outgoing PS, Saitoti Torome who has served in different ministries within former president Uhuru's Government.
The PS nominee was previously caught in controversy back in 2020 that forced him out of IEBC as ICT Director, when he resigned.
Muhati's time at IEBC was marred by protests as the then opposition wing, the National Super Alliance (NASA), sought his removal from office.
The Raila Odinga-led movement also went after ex-CEO Ezra Chiloba following disputed presidential elections in 2017.
IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati had also sought to have Muhati suspended ahead of repeat presidential election after the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice emeritus David Maraga nullified the results.
In his role as PS, Muhati will be expected to evaluate economic trends, manage national statistics, carry out surveys regarding the national census and housing, and oversee the management of the National Government Constituency Fund.
He will also be required to liaise with the economic commission for Africa and offer Public Investment Policy and Oversight.
As PS, he will be expected to apply transparency, accountability, professionalism, and Ethical Practices which are key values expected of any member of the Ministry.
At Treasury, he will work alongside Dr Chris Kiptoo and the newly appointed Finance Cabinet Secretary, Prof Njuguna Ndung'u.
The PS nominations saw Ruto blend loyalists with experts, as he hits the ground running. Dr. Belio Kipsang could make a comeback in the ministry of Education while Nixon Korir, who lost his Lang'ata parliamentary seat will be at the powerful Lands Ministry.
