President William Ruto has made major changes in the government through Executive Order No. 1 of 2025. The changes involve key state departments, new appointments, and promotions of officials in different ministries.
The president says the changes are necessary to improve government operations and respond to new economic and social challenges. This is part of his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which he has been pushing since he took office.
Under Article 132 of the Constitution, the president has the power to make such adjustments to ensure the government runs smoothly.
One of the biggest changes is the nomination of new Principal Secretaries in different ministries.
These nominees must be approved by Parliament before they can take up their roles.
Some of the key nominees include Dr. Jane Kare Imbunya, who has been nominated for the State Department for Public Service & Human Capital Development, and Ms. Regina Akoth Ombam, who has been picked for the State Department for Trade. Dr. Caroline Wanjiru Karugu has been nominated for the State Department for East African Community Affairs, while Dr. Oluga Fredrick Ouma is set to head the State Department for Medical Services. Mr. Stephen Isaboke has been chosen for the State Department for Broadcasting & Telecommunications, and CPA Carren Ageng’o Achieng will take charge of the State Department for Children Welfare Services.
Apart from these nominations, there have been promotions within the government. Mr. Amos Gathecha, who was previously the Principal Secretary for Public Service, has now been promoted to Deputy Head of the Public Service in the Executive Office of the President.
This is a major step up in his career and means he will now play a bigger role in managing the operations of the government. Another key appointment is that of Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani, who has been brought in as a Senior Advisor and a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.
Kisiang’ani has been a strong supporter of the president and is expected to bring his experience into shaping economic policies.These changes show that the president is reorganizing his administration to fit his economic plans.
By placing new faces in key departments, he is likely trying to bring fresh ideas into the government. However, the success of these changes will depend on how well the new appointees perform in their positions.
If they deliver, the government might achieve some of its economic goals. But if they fail, it will raise questions about whether these appointments were based on merit or political loyalty.
With Parliament now set to vet the nominees, the next few weeks will determine whether these individuals get the approval to take up their roles.
