Kenya's Ruto introduces his first cabinet
3 Min Read
While Kenya's newly-elected President promised gender parity during his political campaign, Ruto fails to keep his word.
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Kenya's Ruto introduces his first cabinet.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced his cabinet ministers after winning the elections in August against his rival Raila Odinga by some 200,000 votes, despite accusations of flaws.
The naming of the 26 cabinet ministers and appointees took place at a meeting at State House, with the presence of political allies who were appointed and whose support helped ensure Ruto's victory in the election.
The President expressed his gratitude for those who "worked and walked this journey to victory. Because of their contribution, because of their decision to work with us under very difficult circumstances, we won this election," Ruto said.
Ruto named Musalia Mudavadi as prime cabinet secretary. His party, the Amani National Congress, had formed an alliance with Ruto.
The Foreign Minister was designated as Alfred Mutua, whose party also sided with Ruto.
Lawyer Kithure Kindik whose legal firm defended Ruto's win in the Supreme Court was assigned as cabinet secretary of the interior ministry.
As for the appointing of treasurer, former central bank governor Njuguna Ndung'u was selected.
See this: Who is William Ruto; Kenya’s new President?
Out of his 22-member cabinet, only seven females have been appointed ministerial duties. Ruto had promised he would deliver gender parity during his presidential campaign. But it is clear that he failed to realize this promise.
Some women were placed in senior positions. This includes Monica Juma, a former foreign minister, who was named national security advisor.
Ruto also mentioned that Kenya's two highest-ranking police officials had both resigned, namely Inspector General Hilary Mutyambai and Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.
Ruto is presented with the unsettling task of reuniting the people of Kenya following a bitter election campaign and crushing pressures felt by Kenyans as prices for basic goods skyrocket.
Ruto grew up on his family's farm in a quiet Rift Valley town, selling chickens from a roadside kiosk to make ends meet.
He began his political career in the early 1990s and has had a past riddled with corruption cases.
During the August 9 poll, Ruto won his rival by a meager two percentage points.
Read more: Defeated Odinga calls Kenya presidential election results a ‘travesty'
