Nairobi — President William Ruto has assigned vacant ministerial portfolios Acting Cabinet Secretaries following recent Cabinet changes.
The assigned Cabinet Secretaries will act in the portfolios pending parliamentary approval and appointment of new nominees.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will oversee the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy, while Environment CS Aden Duale will manage the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Sports CS Salim Mvurya will temporarily take on responsibilities for the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry.
"In that regard, it is notified that the Head of State and Government, pursuant to Article 152(5)(a) of the Constitution, has assigned the vacant ministerial portfolios to the following Cabinet Secretaries in an acting capacity, as stated," read part of the statement by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
Koskei said the interim appointments are part of a broader strategy to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of government operations while the parliamentary vetting process for nominated Cabinet Secretaries is completed.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly has announced calls for the submission of memoranda regarding the upcoming approval hearings for three of President Ruto's nominees to the Cabinet.
The National Assembly called on the public to provide written statements under oath (affidavits), supported by any relevant evidence, contesting the suitability of any of the nominees.
The three nominees are Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture and Livestock Development), William Kabogo (ICT), and Lee Kinyanjui (Trade).
President Ruto nominated the trio to the Cabinet on December 19 following a meeting with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, in Gatundu.