NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto on Friday oversaw the swearing-in of three newly appointed Cabinet Secretaries at State House, marking a significant step in his administration’s efforts to broaden government inclusivity and accelerate the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The ceremony followed their approval by Members of Parliament on Thursday.
The new appointees—Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), Lee Kinyanjui (Trade), and William Kabogo (ICT)—bring a wealth of experience to their respective portfolios, having previously held prominent positions in both legislative and executive roles.
They are also seen as a critical impetus to President Ruto’s fresh efforts to win back the Mt Kenya rich region, which has become his biggest opposition after the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as the Deputy President.
President William Ruto swears in Mutahi Kagwe as CS for Agriculture, Lee Kinyanjui as CS for Trade and Industry and William Kabogo as CS for ICT on Friday, January 17 at State House, Nairobi. 📸 PCS
In his address during the swearing-in ceremony, President Ruto emphasized the critical role the trio would play in advancing the BETA policies aimed at fostering economic growth from the grassroots level.
President Ruto recalled his time serving alongside Kabogo and Kagwe in the National Assembly, highlighting their prior contributions in the 9th Parliament, with Kinyanjui joining later in the 10th Parliament.
“Without exception, all three CSs have extensive and diverse experience in legislative and executive facets of our public service,” President Ruto stated. “I am confident in the skills and capabilities they bring to their new roles.”
The President reiterated the ongoing efforts under the BETA initiative, expressing optimism about the impact of these policies across the nation.
He underscored the importance of the new Cabinet members in driving this agenda forward.
The reshuffle, announced last month, is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote national unity and inclusivity.
Mutahi Kagwe’s return to the Cabinet is notable, given his previous role as Health CS under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, where he led the country through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic period.
Lee Kinyanjui, a former governor of Nakuru, brings experience from his tenure in county leadership, while Kabogo, known for his time as Kiambu governor, is now shifting his focus to the ICT sector.
Kabogo is expected to prioritize strengthening data protection laws, a critical area in the digital age.
