Former Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has been appointed cabinet secretary for Trade and Industry.
Kuria vied for and lost the Kiambu governor seat at the August 9 election.
The Chama Cha Kazi party leader said he was heading back to the private sector after eight years of service as MP.
"I enjoyed every minute of my 8 years in elective politics. Back to the private sector. Happily," Kuria said after conceding defeat in the polls.
The outspoken former legislator is a close ally of the President even after he refused to join the United Democratic Alliance in the run-up to the August polls.