The new deal between ODM Principal Raila Odinga and President William Ruto brought forth the latest government reshuffle on Thursday. This saw key supporters of Raila Odinga get key slots as permanent secretaries, while former government stalwarts like Susan Nakhumicha secured foreign service appointments as below. 

The appointments at the National Treasury point to key leadership changes. Dr. Boniface Makokha will take over from James Muhati, who has been given a foreign service appointment in China. 

Cyrell Odede will spearhead a new state department, Public Investments & Assets Management, to oversee a rigorous privatisation strategy following the enactment of the Privatisation Act last year. This aligns with the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme negotiations that centre on critical policy reforms, with a strong focus on restructuring State-owned enterprises.

Trade Permanent Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo is headed to Belgium. If all goes well, he could replace Dr. Bitange Ndemo, who is poised to become the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi after Prof. Stephen Kiama Gitahi’s departure. 

Stephen Isaboke is a strong candidate for the telecommunications sector. He has served as the Group Executive for Regulatory and Government Affairs at MultiChoice Group, overseeing operations across 48 sub-Saharan African countries from his base in Dubai. 

Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani’s move is seen as a demotion and comes with a court ruling quashing his order that all government advertisements should go to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). 

Regina Akoth takes Trade and will be instrumental in negotiating with the Trump Administration on the United States-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which expire this year.

The new changes are suspected to be the initial phase of a more extensive cabinet reshuffle, which is expected soon. The reshuffle aims to align political interests ahead of the 2027 general election with the administration’s strategic agenda and power consolidation efforts.