President William Ruto has named former Agriculture minister Felix Koskei as Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, putting him directly in charge of delivering the juicy goodies he promised the electorate while looking for votes in the August 9 election.
David Ndii, a well-known economist and critic of government affairs, who was expected to be nominated as the Treasury Cabinet Secretary, will chair the newly created position of President’s Council of Economic Advisers.
Former Treasury principal secretary (PS) Kamau Thugge is back as senior adviser and head of fiscal affairs and budget policy. In these two appointments, the President is probably scoring huge marks, based on what the duo has been known for.
However, it will be a big test for Dr Ndii to be an architect as opposed to his reviewer role that he has built in non-governmental circles, poking holes in budgets, top appointments, policy after another, and other key State decisions.
As widely expected, former Citizen TV anchor Hussein Mohamed who joined Dr Ruto’s presidential campaign at the tail end has been honoured with the all-important position of Statehouse Spokesperson.
Another journalist, David Mugonyi, who has been working with Dr Ruto since he became the deputy President in Uhuru Kenyatta’s government, will head the Presidential Communication Service.
According to the Executive Order released on Wednesday, Mr Mohamed will be Mr Mugonyi’s deputy.
Mr Mugonyi cut his teeth as a political journalist at Daily Nation where he rose to become a senior reporter, interacting with politicians as he crafted stories about legislation, oversight, representation, and dealmaking within the political corridors.
Mr Mugonyi scored a distinction in his postgraduate diploma in a journalism course at the University of Nairobi’s School of Journalism (SoJ), earning him a smooth entry at Nation Media Group, working with top editors who graduated from the SoJ ahead of him.
In the latest postings, former Interior minister Katoo ole Matito, has been picked at the Statehouse Comptroller. In other top jobs, PS nominees are being interviewed while CS nominees will be vetted from next week.
