The Judiciary’s plan of establishing a High Court station in every County in Kenya edged a step closer after Chief Justice David Maraga laid a foundation stone for a 390 million shillings High Court building in Kwale County. In an event attended by Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, the Chief Justice said the Judiciary will post a High Court Judge to Kwale as soon as the building is complete.

CJ David Maraga (L) and Governor Mvurya at the project site.

So far, there are 39 High Court stations in 38 out of the 47 counties in Kenya. Besides the Kwale County project, construction is ongoing in Isiolo where a High Court is also forthcoming.

The Kwale High Court is being constructed on a three acre piece of land donated to the Judiciary by the County Government.

The Chief Justice who is also the President of the Supreme Court of Kenya formally received the Msambweni Kadhi’s Court from the Kwale County leadership. The Kadhi’s Court construction was funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Chief Justive Maraga expressed his gratitude to the people of Msambweni Sub County for prioritizing the construction of a Kadhi’s Court despite the many competing priorities that CDF has to contend with. He further said that the Judiciary will consider expanding the Msambweni Kadhi’s court to a full fledged Magistrate’s Court in order to expand the jurisdiction of the Court and bring justice closer to the people.

The Judiciary has  committed to building Magistrates’ Courts in all the 290 Sub Counties (constituencies) in the country.

Governor Mvurya (L) with CJ David Maraga (R).

The Chief Justice says other steps that will be taken to improve administration of justice, will be the immediate establishment of a High Court Sub-Registry at Kwale Law Courts, so that High Court matters do not have to go all the way to Mombasa County. Governor Mvurya and other leaders asked the Chief Justice to establish Magistrates Courts in Ukunda and Lunga Lunga areas and pledged to provide land for the projects.

As part of the Judiciary’s effort to entrench integrity and ensure efficient delivery of services, a representative of the office of Judiciary Ombudsman will be stationed at the Kwale Law Courts. The office receives and processes complaints from court users.

The five storey Kwale High Court will have eight Courtrooms, nine Chambers, a Huduma Centre, police and prison cells – both segregated for male and females; Judges’ lounge; Magistrates’ lounge, lactating rooms for mothers; offices for DPP; Probation and other NCAJ agencies; Registries, Archives, stores and library. The court design incorporates views from the local community,  gathered through the Court Users Committee which was represented at the launch.

Source: Directorate of Public Affairs and Communication - Judiciary

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Fatuma Achani have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to President Uhuru Kenyatta for considering Kwale County and the Coast region in his appointments of Senior Government Officials.

In the recent appointments, former Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Trade and Cooperative Development Safina Kwekwe Tsungu has been appointed to the position of Principal Secretary (PS) for Gender and Professor Hamadi Iddi Boga has been appointed as the Principal Secretary for Agriculture and Research.

Other appointees from the Coast region are Najib Balala who has retained the position of Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Hussein Dado from Tana River County and former Malindi North Mp Gideon Mung’aro who have been appointed as Chief Administrative Secretaries in the Ministries of Devolution and Lands respectively. Margaret Mwakima has been given the docket of Principal Secretary for Wildlife while former Cabinet Secretary for Mining Dan Kazungu has been appointed the Kenyan High Commissioner to Tanzania.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya / Photo: Ali Haji Kipapuro.

In his statement, Governor Mvurya says that these appointments have elicited joy among the people of Kwale County and the Coast region at large. “This clearly demonstrates the confidence of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto in spurring the coastal development agenda.” He explains.

Governor Mvurya has also urged the people of the Coastal region to remain steadfast in supporting the development agenda of the National Government, showing his confidence that these nominees meet all the required qualifications and will deliver in performing their mandate.

At the same time, he has called upon the people and leadership of the region to unite and focus on addressing challenges facing their Counties.

Those appointed to various positions will undergo a constitution vetting process by the National Assembly before they are fully confirmed to assume their roles.

In his announcement to the nation while making the appointment on Friday, President Kenyatta stressed on the need for efficient operation of the government saying that he had consulted the Public Service Commission.

The President established the position of Chief Administrative Secretary in all ministries who would be responsible for helping the Cabinet Secretaries in undertaking the constitutional mandate.

Here is the list of Cabinet secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries and Principal Secretaries named by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Bellow is the list of the nominees by President Uhuru Kenyatta:

Cabinet Secretaries:

Farida Karoney – Lands, Monica Juma – Foreign Affairs, Margaret Kobia – Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, Amina Mohamed – Education, Sicily Kariuki – Health, Fred Matiang’i – Interior, John Munyes – Petroleum & Mining, Eugene Wamalwa – Devolution, Simon Chelgui – Water, Keriako Tobiko – Environment, Adan Mohammed – Industrialisation, Mwangi Kiunjuri – Agriculture, Rashid Mohammed – Sports, Najib Balala – Tourism, Ukur Yattani – Labour, Peter Munya – East African Community, James Macharia – Transport, Joseph Mucheru – ICT, Henry Rotich – Treasury and Raphael Tuju (without portfolio).

Chief Administrative Secretaries:

Patrick Ntutu – Interior, Ababu Namwamba - Foreign Affairs, Rachel Shebesh - Youth and Gender, Hussein Dado – Devolution and Chris Obure – Transport.

Principal Secretaries:

Macharia Kamau - Foreign Affairs, Lilian Omolo - Youth and Gender, Andrew Kamau - Petroleum and Mining, Charles Sunkuli – Environment and Paul Maringa – Transport.

Kombani Methadone Center which is the only drug rehabilitation unit in Kwale County, has continued to offer hope to hundreds of addict residents one year after it was established, with numbers of those seeking help increasing.

The Medical Assisted Therapy (MAT) center was established on October 2017 by the Kwale County government with only a few drug addicts but today, it serves more than 287 recovering addicts.

Youth at Kombani MAT Center. Photo: Juma Chigodi.

Thirty three of those receiving treatment at the center were transferred from other centers with at least four new patients joining daily.

The recovering drug addicts have formed 11 outreach groups throughout the county to create awareness among other users, most of them found along the lower coast and urban centers.

Kwale Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani who together with Governor Salim Mvurya came up with the idea of establishing the Methadone Center, visited the facility recently receiving testimonies from those recovering after joining the program.

Madam Achani explains the importance of support groups among the recovering victims saying that they play a vital role in stabilizing their lives after leaving the rehabilitation center.

“Form different groups where you come from and suggest projects that will assist you in income generating activities. The county government will support you throughout the process and if you have any challenges, please do not hesitate to seek help.” The Deputy Governor advises.

On his part, the Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Social Services and Talent Management Ramadhan Masoud Bungale has pledged to support the groups by providing them with funds from his department.

The Deputy Governor says youth funds have gone a long way in benefiting the target group and assures the youth that her office will cooperate with them.

One of the addicts hailed the county program saying it had restored dignity among those who had recovered or were still in the process.

“We thank God for this recovery program by the county. It has indeed redeemed our dignity in the society and enhanced our sense of belonging to the community.” Abdul Razak explained.

Under this recovery program, the addicts are divided into groups composed of members from their respective localities, the bigger number coming from Matuga Sub County.

Kwale County has a huge number of drug addicts who in the past did not have any hope of recovering before the Medical Assisted Therapy (MAT) Center was set up in Kombani last year.

Source: Neema/Chigodi/Lenox (Kwale GPS)

It is slightly past midday as we arrive at Dokata village in MacKinnon Road ward in Kwale county. The scorching sun forces us to shelter under a ‘mnago’ tree at least to cool down our body temperatures. I reach to my back pack, take out my water bottle and take a deep gulp whilst enjoying the picturesque view of the expansive Tsavo East National Park bordering this remote village to the north.

The villagers here seem to be used to the sweltering temperatures, as it is seen with mama Dzame Chiguba who is still in her farm.

A traditional Duruma house. / Photo: Susan Nyamawi.

A few meters from where we are seated is a traditional structure which catches my attention. “That is a traditional Duruma house.” Our guide Mwajoto Mwagawari explains as we wait for mama Dzame. There are two types of the traditional Duruma houses. According to the elderly mama Dzame, the first type is called ‘nyumba ya msongo’ and the second type is known as the ‘nyumba ya chibumbuna’.

‘Nyumba ya msongo’ is the traditional house which has a mud skirting while the other type called ‘nyumba ya chibumbuna’ is fully thatched with grass from ground level. These distinct houses which are among the iconic symbols of the Duruma culture are becoming extinct. Mama Dzame offers to take me inside the Duruma house at her homestead as she explains more about these structures.

“There is everything in this house. We have the kitchen area there, a traditional granary on the other side, a living area where the owner sleeps, and a place set aside for a number of goats and chicken.” She elaborates.

In the Duruma tradition, it is the responsibility of the man who is the family head to build this house unlike in other African traditions where houses were built by women in the past.

Cactus cowshed. / Photo: Susan Nyamawi.

Today the traditional Duruma houses are very few as many people resolve to construct permanent modern houses. However, to mama Dzame this is a tradition which should be kept for the coming generations to see, and she urges the Duruma community members to continue setting up these structures in their homesteads.

After an interesting tour inside the ‘nyumba ya msongo’ I come out and stretch to a nearby cowshed. This one is unique, as I have never seen such a cowshed elsewhere except here in Dokata village. The cowshed where mama Dzame’s family shelter their cows and goats is naturally and strategically surrounded by cactus plants which act as a barrier and no animals can attack them at night, as this area is prone to hyenas and lions from the Tsavo East National Park.

Dokata Water Project:

Despite its remoteness, villagers of Dokata in MacKinnon Road ward enjoy clean water services after the County Government of Kwale initiated a water project in 2017. This project has helped many as in the past people used to walk as far as 5 km to MacKinnon Road area to fetch water or even further to Mgalani where they spent more than three hours to get water from there.

“We used to walk long distances before to get water and sometimes we encountered elephants on our way because this area is near the Tsavo park.” Mama Dzame Chiguba explains. 

The water project has benefited many people in many ways here in Dokata. To Lennox Mwagawari and his family they have utilized it to irrigate their farm where they grow various vegetables and water melons.

Susan at her watermelon farm in Dokata. Photo: Susan Nyamawi.

   

The welcoming aura of Mombasa town tells you how things are normally done at this coastal town.  There is no hurry here as the natives say ‘Mombasa Raha’ two Swahili words meaning Mombasa is enjoyment. 

Many people know the coastal town of Mombasa as the second largest town in Kenya after the capital city Nairobi, or just a tourist hub and a gateway to Eastern and Central Africa. Mombasa town has rich history dating back to centuries, and it is believed to among the oldest towns in the world. Its history has been recorded in chronicles dating back to the first and second centuries. The original inhabitants of Mombasa town who are the Swahili people were in the past known as the Wangozi. These people used a different name to call Mombasa town. According to Stambuli Abdullahi Nassir a famous historian at the Kenyan coast, Mombasa was first known as Gongwa La Mwana Mkisi meaning a territory of the Queen of Sheba.

Panoramic ocean view at a Nyali hotel in Mombasa.

It was later named Kongowea, Mvita and then Mambasa, and not Mombasa as it is referred to as today. According to Stambuli, the name Mambasa comes from an Arabic word ‘Man-baasa’ meaning people who refused to be colonized or ruled by outsiders, a case that was evident from their resistance during the colonial eras. However among all the names of Mombasa town, the name Mvita was most famous among the native Swahili people. Mvita meant people who fought back or resisted as it was seen when the Portuguese who were led by Vasco da Gamma came to Mombasa, though very few people know about this history because many things are believed to have been changed in the history recorded about Mombasa town. 

Stambuli narrates that the generosity and kindness of the native Swahili people of Mombasa town also led to the evident change of different Swahili names by visitors. “Many people have come up with their names. But the name Mvita was the most famous name of this town.” He explains.

Gongwa La Mwana Mkisi, meant the monarchy of queen Mwana Mkisi, a powerful ruler who reigned during the period of Prophet Suleiman (King Solomon) ruling to as far as the Shungwaya region. Her Arabic name was Balqis though many call her as the Queen of Sheba in English. Mombasa town is among the oldest towns of the East African coast alongside Lamu, Zanzibar (Unguja) and Kilwa.

Today Mombasa town is one of the major tourist destinations at the Kenyan coast. Among the key features that make this port town unique is the presence of its historic Fort Jesus built by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596 to protect it from invaders during the Portuguese reign at the Kenyan coast. Also the famous Old Town (Mji wa Kale) overlooking the Indian ocean, Kilindini waterfront and the Moi Avenue tusks are other distinct features of the picturesque town of Mombasa.

Welcome to Mombasa ‘Hakuna Matana!’ An ancient town worth a visit!

Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya has welcomed local and foreign investors to the county saying it offers the best investment environment and opportunities. Governor Mvurya has also assured that the County Government of Kwale has invested heavily in infrastructure development, and is ready to partner with all stakeholders in a bid to transform the lives of Kwale residents.

He made the remarks at Southern Palms Beach Resort in Diani on Friday evening when he officially opened the Co-Willing Economic Development Conference 2018.

Governor Salim Mvurya 3^rd left in a recent function

The conference whose theme is ‘Sustainable Development in Africa: Leading The Way’ is the first ever to be held in Kenya and draws participants from Switzerland, Kenya, South Africa, Lesotho, South Sudan among other states.

"I am happy that among the 47 counties in Kenya, Co-Willing has chosen Kwale County as their favorite destination for launching their projects. I can assure you that you’ve made rights choice because Kwale County has the best investment opportunities and environment," said the Governor.

Governor Mvurya also described Kwale County as the best tourist destination in Africa with Diani beach having been voted the best beach for four consecutive years. "We have also invested heavily in education to grow professional and skilled manpower, an integral component for serious investment," he added.

In its investments agenda, the Co-Willing group focuses mainly on ethical leadership, good governance, renewable energy, food security, urban and rural development, better waste management  with an aim of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals through skills training.

Speaking at the forum, the Swiss Ambassador to Kenya Ralf Heckner said the investment group whose headquarters are in Geneva, will create many opportunities for Kwale residents. "The partnership between Kwale County Government and Co-Willing will create many opportunities particularly for the local residents," said the Ambassador who hailed Governor Mvurya's exemplary leadership.

He said that Governor Salim Mvurya who is also the in coming Chair of the Council of Governors will have added advantage to enhance Kwale county’s development agenda. "You as the incoming Chair of Council of Governors will be better placed to unite the 47 counties in Kenya, and initiate agendas that will be beneficial to the people." Said the envoy.

The group's Kenyan Director who is also its Treasurer Mr. Patrick Kisia said when Co-Willing was deliberating on its investment program in Kenya, Kwale County was their favorite choice because of its open and accountable leadership, best investment policies and practices, and its development record.

Kwale County: Milalani-Mivumoni-Kilulu road upgrade.

Mr. Kisia singled out Kwale among the 47 Kenyan counties, saying that it has been pursuing a strong, stable, and a trans-formative development agenda. "In the education sector, Kwale County has an exemplary scholarship program under the ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ initiative. This will in the long run grow a good number of professional and skilled manpower needed to steer its economic agenda to greater heights," He said.

Through Governor Mvurya’s leadership, the county government of Kwale is offering full scholarship to 3310 students studying in form two, three and four in various national schools and 1440 others in national varsities. Also more than 600 other students have joined form one in various national schools this January. In addition the county government of Kwale pays normal bursaries to many students learning county, sub-county and other institutions.

Governor Mvurya was accompanied by Kwale County Secretary Martin Mwaro, County Executive Committee Member for Infrastructure Development and Public Works Hemed Mwabudzo, County Executive Committee Member for Health Francis Gwama Mwatsahu, County Executive Committee Member for Education Mangale Chiforomodo, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development Joan Nyamasyo among other county officials.

Other key speakers from the Co-Willing group included its President Susi Gubler, Linda Kakai, Johnson Mwakazi, Rommel Roberts from South Africa and Hans Herren from USA.

The Co-Willing group is planing to put up a model solar energy plant at Shimoni area.

Source: GPS Kwale

Even though education is the key to improving peoples’ life, it is estimated that only 10% of Kwale County residents have a secondary level of education or above. Its is further estimated that a total of 51% of Kwale County residents have a primary level of education only. As a result the County Government of Kwale under the leadership of Governor Salim Mgala Mvurya has prioritized the education sector to ensure that education standards in Kwale County grow.

The new Upendo ECDE center in Ndavaya Ward - Kinango.

In 2013 when they were elected for their first term in office under the devolved system of government, Governor Mvurya and his Deputy Fatuma Achani came up with the ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ initiative, a program that has highly motivated the growth of education levels in Kwale County. ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ are Swahili words which literary translate to ‘Education Is Now’ in English. Through this initiative the County Government of Kwale has facilitated the construction of modern Early Childhood Development Education Centers in various parts of the county,  and also set aside a bursary fund that sponsors Kwale County students learning in various institutions across the country and outside Kenya.

Since 2013, a total of 236 modern ECDE centers have been put up in the 20 wards of Kwale county, making it easy to children access education at an early age. In every ECDE facility, the County government has put up two classrooms, a staff office, a kitchen and playing facilities for the children. The county government of Kwale through it education department has also employed more than 500 ECDE teachers/care givers. There is also a feeding program in the ECDE centers.

The old Upendo ECDE Center in Ndavaya Ward

In its bursary program, the County Government of Kwale sets aside 400 million shillings each year, where every word receives 20 million shillings. These funds are managed by ward bursary committees which are mandated to allocate bursary funds to students by County Bursary Act. Students who get admission to national schools receive 100% sponsorship for their four years of study at secondary level. Currently the county government is fully sponsoring over 3310 students (forms 2-4) in various nationals schools across Kenya, and a further 1440 in various universities. Those learning in extra county,  other secondary schools, polytechnics and other vocational training institutions get regular bursaries too from the bursary kitty. A total of 68 students from Kwale County got full scholarships to study different courses in India and some have already completed their studies and returned home.

Through its ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ initiative, the County Government of Kwale has also upgraded various county polytechnics to better learning institutions by equipping them with learning materials and workshops tools.

This comes as the County Government of Kwale has promised to work together with Kenya Literature Bureau to ensure that goals of its ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ scholarship program are fully achieved. Speaking when Kenya Literature Bureau Board Chairman Francis Baya payed him a courtesy call in his Mvindeni office, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya commended KLB for its work in uplifting education standards in Kenya. Governor Mvurya said that through the 'Elimu Ni Sasa' initiative, education standards in Kwale County have grown tremendously.

On his part, Mr. Francis Baya praised Governor Mvurya for the initiative. The Kenya Literature Beareau team was in Kwale County for the distribution of the new syllabus books to various schools and they visited Matuga Girls Highs School, Kinango and Ramisi secondary schools.    

Though it is estimated that a total of 39% of Kwale County residents have no formal education, through the ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ initiative things have greatly changed with the number of pupils joining schools increasing over the years.

Currently according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Msambweni sub county has the highest share of residents with a secondary level of education or above at 21%, Matuga sub county has the highest share of residents with a primary level of education only at 53%, whereas Lunga Lunga sub county has the highest share of residents with no formal education at 45%.

Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Education Mangale Chiforomodo has dismissed media reports that the county bursary program was being implemented selectively. Reacting to a news report aired in one of the national TV stations claiming that some students from Kwale County who have qualified to join national schools were denied bursaries, Chiforomodo rubbished the report terming it as untrue, malicious and politically fabricated.

Kwale High Principal Festus Sombo receiving a cheque.

The report had also claimed that a parent from Kinango sub county Mzee Chale Ndaikwa had collapsed at Kingwede Girls Secondary School in Msambweni sub county after his child was denied bursary.

"The Kwale County bursary under the ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ initiative started by Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Fatuma Achani in 2013 is given purely on merit. There is absolutely no favoritism whatsoever," said the County Executive Committee Member. 

Chiforomodo explains that the bursary allocation is strictly implemented in accordance to the Bursary Act, and it is carried out at ward levels by selected bursary committees. 

Currently, the County Government of Kwale is sponsoring over 3050 students in various national schools across the country, and 1440 others in various universities.

When contacted by the Kwale Focus for his comments on the aired news that he collapsed because his child was denied bursary,  Mr Ndaikwa said that he was shocked. "I collapsed at Kingwede Girls Secondary School just because of my long time sickness and I was taken to Msambweni Referral Hospital for treatment. I have been sick for some time and I sometimes collapse even at home." He explained.  He added that the said child at Kingwede Girls Secondary School is in fact sponsored by the Vakaart Foundation and is not under the county bursary program.  "I have a child at Mpeketoni Secondary School in Lamu County who gets full sponsorship from the County Government of Kwale. But this one at Kingwede Girls Secondary School is being sponsored by Vakaart." He added.

Mama Ngina Girls Principal Mrs. Bilashaka receiving a cheq.

The Principals of Kwale High School Festus Sombo Mdzomba,  Matuga Girls Mrs. Hellen Machuka and Mama Ngina Girls Mrs. Mwanamisi Omar Bilashaka condemned the report, saying that the Kwale bursary program has benefited many students from the County.  

"About half of the students in my school are from Kwale County and they receive 100 per cent bursary from Governor Mvurya's government. 


Trying to poke holes on such a noble initiative is not only very sad but its sinful," said Mrs Machuka of Matuga Girls.

Mangroves are a type of tropical forests, found at the edge of land and sea that are regularly flooded by tidal waters. These forests are among the most carbon-rich forests in the world. They provide important spawning grounds for commercial fish species, filtering pollutants and contaminants from entering the coastal waters and also protect coastal communities against storms, tsunamis and erosion.

Local tourists at Gazi Women Boardwalk / Photo: Ali Haji Kipapuro.

In the last 50 years it is estimated that between 30-50% of mangroves have been lost globally, and it is further estimated that mangrove cover is lost at an alarming rate of 2% annually. The main factors that contribute to mangrove ecosystems degradation are aquaculture, mangrove forests exploitation, terrestrial and marine sources of pollution and industrial and urban coastal developments.  

At Gazi Bay in Kwale County, members of a local conservation group known as the Baraka Conservation Group in Makongeni village have put their efforts together in conserving the mangrove ecosystems of that area. This Community Based Organization has 20 active members, 16 among them being female. 

According to Juma Mohammed Mwarandani who is the coordinator of Baraka Conservation Group, their members have over the years planted mangroves in areas where the mangrove forest had been degraded in the past. ‘We have planted over 5,000 casuarina trees at Makongeni Primary School. We encourage those who want constructions poles to buy these trees instead of cutting down mangrove trees.’ He explains.

The Baraka Conservation Group’s mangrove tree planting activities are under the ‘Mikoko Pamoja’ initiative at Gazi Bay launched in 2009 to research on mangrove ecosystems and to evaluate the carbon stocks they hold, and use payments for ecosystem services, specifically payments for carbon credits to safeguard conservation gains and improve the life of the local communities.

Mwarandani estimates that Baraka Conservation Group annually gets up to a million Kenya shillings from the sale of carbon credits. But according to him their credits come from their efforts of planting rhyzophora muncronata mangrove tree species.

A walk in the Gazi Bay mangroves.

Baraka Conservation Group in Makongeni village also undertakes ecotourism and fish farming projects, where tourists and researchers visit this scenic area frequently to view various fish and birds species.

At the neighboring Gazi village, is the Gazi Women Mangrove Boardwalk a community ecotourism project set up with the help of donors with an aim of conserving the mangrove ecosystems of Gazi Bay. Hundreds of local and foreign tourists visit this area to take a walk at the expansive mangrove boardwalk whilst enjoying the panoramic view of the Chale Peninsula. Funds raised from this community project benefit the Gazi community directly as the are used to pay bursaries for bright students from Gazi village and also to improve health, and education facilities and also support water projects in the area.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala is among six Kenyan Cabinet Secretaries to retain their positions in the resent Cabinet appointments announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta following his re-election last year.

Other Cabinet Secretaries who have been re-appointed to their previous posts are Cabinet Secretary for Treasury Henry Rotich, Charles Keter of Energy, Joseph Mucheru of Information Communication Technology docket, James Macharia of Transport and Infrastructure, and Dr. Fred Matiangi who is the Interior and Coordination Cabinet Secretary and at the same time acting Education Cabinet Secretary.

Tourism CS Najib Balala [R] / Photo: Ali Haji Kipapuro

In his address to the nation on Friday, President Kenyatta also nominated the former Turkana Senator John Munyes, former  Marsabit Governor Ukur Yattani and the Director of Public Prosecutions  Keriako Tobiko to his new Cabinet.

According to the new appointments, former Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua will now replace Mr. Lawrence Lenayapa as State House Controller, as Lenayapa takes new duties as the Kenyan Ambassador to the Netherlands.

These appointments have also seen some changes in the National Police Service, where Mr. George Kinoti takes up the role of Director of Criminal Investigations in an acting capacity. The DCI position wa held by Ndegwa Muhoro. Also, the heads of Kenya Police and Administration Police services, Kitili Mboya and Samuel Arachi have been dropped. Their respective positions have now been assigned to Edward Njoroge Mbugua and Noor Yarao Gabao.

Mr. Ndegwa Muhoro, Samwel Arachi and Kitili Mboya have been deployed to other public service duties.

Mr. Joseph Kinyua was retained as Head of Public Service while Nzioka Waita will serve as Chief of Staff. Wanyama Musiambo who is the former Regional Coordinator for Rift Valley has been appointed as the Deputy Head of Public Service.

The Kenyan constitution promulgated in 2010 allows for a maximum of 22 ministries.

President Kenyatta is expected to make full announcement of Cabinet Secretaries in the coming days.

These appointments come as President Uhuru Kenyatta has in the resent addresses called for unity among Kenyans, promising to serve all citizens partially in his last term in office.