NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has appointed Mr. Amos Njoroge Gathecha, EBS, as the Deputy Head of Public Service, a role that positions him at the heart of Kenya’s administrative and governance structures.
His promotion follows years of service in various high-level government roles, where he has played a key role in public sector management, national security, and development coordination.
Prior to this elevation, Gathecha was the Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Service under the Ministry of Public Service, Performance & Delivery Management.
With a career spanning over 33 years, he has established himself as a respected technocrat in government circles, particularly in matters of public administration, national security, and project implementation.
Gathecha’s career trajectory has seen him serve in critical government positions, including as the Principal Administrative Secretary at the National Treasury.
In this capacity, he was the Secretary for National Government Projects Implementation, coordinating key national development programs.
During his tenure, he served as the secretary to the National Development Implementation and Communication Coordination Committee (NDICCC) and played a crucial role in linking the Cabinet Office, Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), and other high-level committees overseeing government projects.
One of his most notable assignments was his leadership of the National Identity Information Management System (NIIMS), popularly known as Huduma Namba.
As the head of the secretariat, he spearheaded the mass registration of 37.7 million Kenyans within just 45 days in 2019—an ambitious digital identification initiative aimed at streamlining access to government services.
Beyond administrative roles, Gathecha has been deeply involved in national security matters.
As Secretary for Internal Security, he played a pivotal role in monitoring and evaluating security in all 47 counties, working closely with the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC).
His past assignments also include serving as a County Commissioner in Nakuru and Embu, as well as District Commissioner in West Pokot, Maragua, Bomet, Lugari, and Marsabit.
Additionally, he has chaired security committees responsible for planning major international events hosted in Kenya, including:
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XVI) – July 2016
- Tokyo International Conference on African Development Summit – August 2016
- Second High-Level Meeting (HLM2) of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation – November-December 2016
His governance experience extends to serving on multiple key boards, including Kenya Pipeline Company, Kenya Airports Authority, Betting Control and Licensing Board, Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination Board, Witness Protection Board, Anti-Money Laundering Board, and Car Loan Scheme Board
Gathecha holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, where he also obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy.
Further solidifying his credentials in security and governance, he is an alumnus of the National Defense College, an institution known for grooming top government officials and military personnel.
Gathecha’s appointment as Deputy Head of Public Service is expected to strengthen government operations, particularly in public sector reforms, security coordination, and project implementation.
His extensive background in policy execution, security administration, and governance makes him a key player in President William Ruto’s administration as it seeks to enhance efficiency in service delivery.
With a career deeply rooted in public administration and national security, Gathecha’s promotion signals the government’s intent to leverage experienced bureaucrats in high-stakes policy execution and governance.
His next challenge will be ensuring the smooth running of government operations at the highest level—an area he is no stranger to.
