Former Roots party presidential running-mate Justina Wamae has declined Ruto's appointment to the taskforce to audit health resources.
Ruto on Saturday gazetted a 20-member Human Resources for Health (HRH) taskforce to audit health resources.
The President said the taskforce was necessitated by the need to formulate comprehensive strategies and policies to enhance the healthcare workforce.
He named Wamae among the team.
She thanked the President for the offer saying she was glad that he had recognised her strength and ability.
Wamae, however, turned down the appointment saying she is not in a position to serve the country.
She added that she is currently on maternity leave and will not be able to deliver effectively.
"Thank you Mr President William Samoei Ruto for recognising my strength, capacity and ability and subsequently appointing me to serve in the Presidential Taskforce on addressing Human Resources for Health via Gazette Notice No. 8437 Executive Order No. 5 of 2024 dated July 5, 2024," she said on X.
"However, after careful consideration, I have decided to decline your offer given that I'm currently on maternity leave and this development would affect my ability to work effectively at this time."
The 20-member taskforce includes Acting Ministry of Health Director General Patrick Amoth, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah.
Other members appointed to the taskforce are John Masasabi, Toseef Din, Wilson Aruasa, Doreen Rhoda Kanyua, Francis Wafula, Habiba Mohamed, Lucy Mburu, Collins Kiprono, Victor Miseda, Christine Okoth, Carolyne Mage, Jacinta Rwamba, Kanyenje Gakombe, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana and Benard Ondeng Otieno Choi.
The President named Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo and Morris Kaburu as joint secretaries for the task force.
Hezron Omollo and Vivienne Eyase were appointed secretaries for the task force.
He named Khama Rogo as the chairperson and Judith Guserwa as the vice chairperson.
They have been appointed to serve for six months with effect from July 5, 2024.
On January 26, 2023, Wamae confessed to asking the Kenya Kwanza government for a job.
"Yes, I did. It is common practice to ask, beg, seek and knock on doors for anything in Kenya including a job. My case is not unique," she said while responding to enquiries about the matter on Facebook.
Wamae said she did it knowing that the power to give rests with the giver of the job.
"I'm aware that you have to remember those who were with you in the trenches. So I support that loyalists should be rewarded," she said.
After all, Wamae said, Kenya wants leaders who don't go back on their words.
"Additionally, I was running-mate to serve the nation but I'm a businesswoman and what I make is enough for me and my family hence my not getting the job to serve the nation doesn't mean that I'm dying," she said.