Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja has officially handed over his office to Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who will assume the position in an acting capacity until Mutahi Kagwe’s vetting and approval by Parliament. Duale was appointed to the role by President William Ruto on December 28 through Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, following Cabinet reshuffles that saw Karanja reassigned as an envoy. Karanja is set to become Kenya’s new ambassador to Brazil.
Other acting appointments include Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who will now oversee ICT, and Salim Mvurya, who has been tasked with Trade.
The handover ceremony at the ministry’s offices was attended by Principal Secretaries Paul Ronoh and Jonathan Mueke, along with other senior officials. During the ceremony, Karanja expressed gratitude for the staff’s support and wished the incoming team success in fulfilling the ministry’s goals. Ronoh, in his welcoming remarks, assured support for the new CS and expressed confidence in his leadership to elevate the ministry’s performance.
Duale reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the ministry’s objectives, particularly focusing on food security and ensuring a seamless transition to the new leadership.
Kagwe, the former Health CS under the Jubilee administration, is scheduled to appear before the Committee on Appointments on Tuesday, January 14, for vetting. The committee, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, will also vet former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo for the ICT CS position at 3 pm, followed by Lee Kinyanjui at 5 pm, nominated for the Trade CS role. On January 10, Karanja will be vetted for his new position, along with former ICT CS Margaret Nyambura, nominated as Kenya’s ambassador to Ghana. Other nominees to be vetted that day include Ababu Namwamba (UNEP) and Noor Gabow (Haiti).
