President Ruto Replaces Justin Muturi in Latest Cabinet Reshuffle, Appoints New Ministers Amid Public Discontent

NAIROBI, Kenya – March 26, 2025 – President William Ruto has announced yet another cabinet reshuffle, nominating new ministers and reassigning portfolios in a move aimed at addressing growing public dissatisfaction with his administration. The changes, detailed in a press release from the Executive Office of the President, come just months after a similar shake-up in December 2024, reflecting Ruto’s ongoing efforts to stabilize his government amid criticism over rising taxes and the troubled rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

In the latest reshuffle, Ms. Harriette Wendo Chiggai, a Nairobi representative of the Law Society of Kenya, has been nominated as the new Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage. Ms. Beatrice Askul Moe takes over as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, replacing Justin Muturi, who has been sacked from the position. Meanwhile, Hon. Aden Bare Duale, previously the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Health, replacing Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, who now moves to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.

The press release, signed by Felix K. Koskei, Head of the Public Service and Chief of Staff, stated that the changes are intended to “achieve continuous full strength, a move that bolsters the administration’s capacity to deliver on the nation’s apex policy organ.” It also highlighted the inclusion of “illustrious careers” to bring knowledge and experience to the cabinet, with the nominees set to be vetted by Parliament under Article 152(2) of the Constitution.

However, the reshuffle has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many Kenyans expressing skepticism about its impact. “Hii cabinet hubadilishwa kama ngotha,” tweeted

@yugefred, likening the frequent cabinet changes to swapping underwear. Others, like

@blessedmachaa, pointed to ongoing challenges with the health sector, noting, “Hata wabadilishe health ministers a million times, bado SHIF SHA tricky sana,” referring to the controversial health insurance scheme that has faced significant public backlash since its rollout in October 2024.

The reassignment of Aden Duale to the Ministry of Health has raised particular concern, given the sector’s current struggles. President Ruto has repeatedly defended SHIF, describing its initial glitches as “teething problems” during a church service in Moiben, Uasin Gishu, last October. However, the system’s rollout has left many patients unable to access medical services, fueling public frustration. Duale’s new role will place him at the center of this contentious issue, a challenge that some, like

@minokiriga, noted with surprise: “Duale health ministry?”

This reshuffle follows Ruto’s December 2024 cabinet changes, where he included more opposition figures allied with political veteran Raila Odinga, whom Ruto defeated in the 2022 elections. That move was seen as an attempt to broaden his political base amid protests over planned tax hikes, which resulted in over 50 deaths and hundreds injured during a government clampdown. However, the inclusion of opposition figures did little to quell public anger, with many young protesters condemning the entire political class as corrupt and calling for deeper reforms.

The latest changes also highlight Ruto’s failure to meet his campaign promise of a 50-50 gender balance in his cabinet. In 2022, he appointed only seven women out of 22 cabinet secretaries, drawing criticism from figures like former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, who urged him to honor his pledge. The current reshuffle adds two women to the cabinet—Ms. Chiggai and Ms. Moe—but still falls short of the promised parity.

Political analysts suggest that Ruto’s frequent cabinet adjustments reflect a leader under pressure, attempting to balance regional and political interests while addressing public discontent. The replacement of Justin Muturi, an ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has also sparked speculation of a by-election in Embu, with

@mwoha_ke tweeting, “We will now have a by-election in Embu to see who is popular between Ruto and Gachagua.”