President William Ruto has presided over the swearing-in of his reconstituted Cabinet with a pledge to enact far-reaching measures to root out corruption and enhance accountability in the public service.

Speaking after the 19 Cabinet Secretaries were sworn into office at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, President Ruto said the country was beginning a new chapter of governance and development.

“The women and men who have been appointed to serve the nation in the reconstituted Cabinet have today embarked on a mission that cannot and must not fail,” he said.

The 19 Cabinet Secretaries are Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Soipan Tuya ( Defence), John Mbadi (Finance), Adan Duale ( Enviroment), Davis Chirchir ( Roads), Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports), Salim Mvurya ( Trade), Margaret Nyambura (ICT), Justin Muturi (Public Service) and Rebecca Miano (Tourism).

Others are Alfred Mutua ( Labour), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Julius Migosi (Education), Eric Muga (Water), Hassan Joho ( Mining), Alice Wahome ( Lands), Deborah Barasa (Health) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives).

The Gender and East African Community dockets have not been filled because the National Assembly rejected the nomination of Ms Stella Lang’at to the Gender and Culture ministry.

Ms Beatrice Askul, the EAC ministry nominee, has not yet been vetted.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi were present.

The new CSs were accompanied by their families who witnessed as they took their oath of office.

In his address, President Ruto noted that great strides have been made in the implementation of the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda over the past two years, but is optimistic that more will be achieved under the new Cabinet.

“I am confident that each one of you has what it takes to deliver on your mandate and to satisfy the people’s expectations,” the President told the appointees.

Among the President’s raft of proposals to curb corruption is the introduction of a Unified Personal Identification system aimed at stamping out “ghost workers” across government, including constitutional commissions.

Further, he said the Cabinet will propose to Parliament a legal and institutional framework for mandatory continuous vetting of all public officers.

Additionally, the President said the Cabinet will speed up amendments to the Witness Protection Act, Evidence Act and the Criminal Procedure Code to make fighting against corruption effective.

He said he has engaged the parliamentary leadership to expedite the enactment of the Conflict of Interest Bill, which aims to overhaul the country’s approach to conflict of interest situations in the public service.

Moreover, he said the government will digitise the procurement process to make it more open and transparent.

Beginning the 2025/2026 financial year, the President added that the government will adopt a zero-based budgeting system to re-orient the expenditure framework of the government.

Once again, the President reiterated the need for the broad-based government in bringing together former political rivals, saying inclusivity will ultimately lead to national stability.

“I am persuaded that a moment such as this in the history of our nation calls for patriotic citizens to forge an alliance of rivals to harness our collective political capital, knowledge and expertise to take the strides necessary to make our country great,” the President said.

He recalled critical moments in Kenya’s history when dialogue and consensus pulled the country from the brink of the precipice.

“Here we are again being called upon to remember the lessons of history, to live up to the demands of this moment and set aside our partisan interests in order to show up for Kenya.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Singapore on the occasion commemorating the 59th Independence Anniversary of that great country on August 9, 2024. According to a Foreign Ministry release, in his message to the President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President Boakai extended warmest congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Liberia, and in his own name.

“On this auspicious occasion, I reflect on the excellent bonds of friendship and cooperation subsisting between our two countries and look forward to exploring new areas of cooperation,” President Boakai stated. The Liberian leader furthered acknowledge with appreciation, the strong partnership between the two countries in the area of human capacity development which is critical to meeting the national development framework, the ARREST Agenda for Prosperity and Development.

President Boakai added that as he works along with his counterpart in furtherance of peace, security and economic integration, he prayed that President Shanmugaratnam will be endowed with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his compatriots to greater prosperity.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has learned with profound sadness of the passing of one of South Africa’s brightest stars, actor and filmmaker Ms Connie Chiume.

Ms Chiume has passed away at the age of 72, leaving a legacy of performances on film and television screens in productions including Black Panther, Yizo Yizo 2, Zone 14 and Gomora.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Ms Chiume, who was an inspiration to many in the performing arts.

President Ramaphosa said: “Her remarkable talents and achievements have brought South Africa into the hearts and homes of countless people, both locally and internationally.

“Through her work on screen, she has authentically portrayed the lived experiences of South Africans, capturing the essence of our nation’s stories.

“Beyond her cinematic contributions, Ms Chiume served as a distinguished ambassador for our continent, representing us with grace and dignity in various film roles.

“We were truly blessed to witness this extraordinary jewel of Africa as she effortlessly carried the South African flag in her numerous cinematic endeavours.

“May her legacy continue to inspire and uplift all of us.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

On August 8, commencing at 6:35 p.m., for approximately 20 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco. The overview is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa stated that she was glad to have another opportunity to talk to Minister Bourita after their bilateral meeting in May. She also expressed her desire to further develop the cordial bilateral relationship in order to advance cooperation in many fields, based on the ” Memorandum of Cooperation for a Reinforced Partnership” signed in May.
The two Ministers agreed to work together to strengthen bilateral economic relations, and also exchanged views on cooperation through frameworks such as the Japan-Arab Economic Forum and TICAD.
The two Ministers concurred to continue close communication between Japan and Morocco.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.