Balala retains CS position in new appointments

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.