Aden Duale now to serve in Powerful health ministry after reshuffle

In a surprising cabinet reshuffle, President William Ruto has reassigned Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to the Ministry of Health, replacing Deborah Barasa, who will now head the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.

The reshuffle follows the dismissal of former Attorney General Justin Muturi from his role in the Public Service Ministry. To fill the vacancy, President Ruto has nominated Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku as the new Cabinet Secretary for Public Service.

Aden Duale, who previously served as the Majority Leader in the 11th and 12th Parliaments under the 2010 Constitution, is expected to bring his leadership experience to the Health Ministry, a crucial docket facing challenges such as healthcare reforms and the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.

The appointment of Geoffrey Ruku as Public Service CS signals the President’s intent to strengthen governance and service delivery in the ministry. Ruku, known for his legislative contributions in Parliament, is set to take on the task of streamlining public service operations.

President Ruto’s reshuffle is seen as a strategic move aimed at strengthening key ministries amid growing expectations for improved service delivery and will also be seen as a move to quell division within his cabinet.

The changes have sparked mixed reactions within political circles. Supporters argue that the reshuffle will inject new energy into the ministries, while critics view it as a response to mounting pressure over governance concerns.

As the newly reassigned and nominated officials prepare to take office, all eyes will be on how they navigate their new roles and address the challenges ahead.