SOUTH HORR, Samburu County — Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has credited President William Ruto with expanding opportunities for people from pastoralist communities to serve in senior government positions, citing Devolution Principal Secretary Michael Lenasalon as an example.
Tuya spoke on Sunday, September 6, 2026, during Lenasalon’s thanksgiving service in South Horr, Samburu County, attended by President Ruto, Samburu leaders and other national and local officials.
She said Lenasalon’s appointment demonstrated that young people from pastoralist backgrounds could rise to influential positions in government regardless of their family background.
“Mheshimiwa Rais amefungua njia where a pastoralist child does not just dream of becoming somebody important in this country. We have the practical examples, kama ya PS Lenasalon leo,” Tuya said.
Tuya highlights Lenasalon’s journey
Tuya pointed to Lenasalon’s family background as evidence that senior government appointments could provide opportunities for people who do not come from prominent or politically connected families.
She said Lenasalon’s own account of his upbringing showed that his path to senior public office had not been based on coming from a well-known family.
“Ametuonyesha hapa baba yake mzazi, ametuambia historia yake, hajulikani, hata Rais hakumuona kabla achaguliwe,” Tuya said.
Lenasalon was appointed Devolution Principal Secretary in April 2025 and has since emerged as a prominent example of representation from a pastoralist community in the senior ranks of government.
Tuya said his appointment should encourage young people from pastoralist areas to view leadership and public service as attainable career paths.
Push for wider representation
The Defence CS linked Lenasalon’s appointment to what she described as broader efforts to ensure people from different regions and communities participate in national leadership.
“This is just continued testament, Your Excellency, of your deliberate effort to create one Kenya where we have equity, justice, and everybody feels at home,” she said.
Tuya argued that representation at senior levels of government could have an important effect on the aspirations of young people who previously may not have seen people from their communities occupying influential positions.
She said the presence of pastoralist leaders in government could demonstrate that young people from those communities could also contribute to national development.
“Na watoto wa fugaji, leo ni Lenasalon, kesho ni kijana mwingine mdogo… Now they can dream, even in their young age, that they have a chance to contribute to the development of our country,” Tuya said.
Lenasalon’s role in Devolution
Lenasalon serves as Principal Secretary in the State Department for Devolution, which is responsible for coordinating relations between the national and county governments.
His appointment has attracted particular attention in Samburu, especially in South Horr, where he comes from.
The thanksgiving ceremony brought together leaders from the county and national governments, including Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and local Members of Parliament.
President Ruto also addressed the gathering, speaking about his administration’s broad-based government and his discussions with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on bringing leaders from different parts of the country into government.
The remarks placed Lenasalon’s appointment within a wider political discussion about inclusion and representation in national leadership.
Pastoralist communities seek greater representation
Tuya said greater representation in government could help broaden opportunities for young people from pastoralist communities, many of whom live in regions that have historically faced challenges related to infrastructure, education, poverty and access to economic opportunities.
She presented Lenasalon’s career as an example of how individuals from such communities could progress into senior public service.
The CS’s comments also reflect the broader political importance of representation in Kenya, where appointments to senior government positions often attract scrutiny over regional and community inclusion.
For pastoralist communities, the presence of senior officials from their regions can carry particular significance because it provides visible examples of participation in national decision-making.
Tuya praises Catholic Church
Tuya also praised the Catholic Church for its partnership with successive governments in addressing poverty, promoting peace and justice and supporting development in vulnerable communities.
“We thank you, the Catholic Church, for the practicality of your mission,” she said.
She said the Church’s extensive grassroots presence had made it an important partner in reaching communities and supporting development initiatives.
“For many years you have partnered with the government to alleviate poverty, to stand for peace and justice, and we are grateful,” Tuya said.
The Defence CS said such partnerships remained important in addressing social and economic challenges affecting communities such as South Horr.
