Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja has officially handed over his office to Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Duale is set to hold the position in an acting capacity pending the vetting and approval of Mutahi Kagwe by Parliament.
Duale was assigned the role on December 28 by President William Ruto through Head of Public Service Felix Koskei following the Cabinet changes that saw Karanja reassigned duty as an envoy.
He is set to be Kenya’s new ambassador to Brazil.
Others who were added new roles in acting capacities are Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to be in charge of ICT and Salim Mvurya (Trade).
Present during the brief ceremony at the ministry’s offices were Principal Secretaries Paul Ronoh and Jonathan Mueke among other senior officials.
In his address, Karanja thanked the staff for their support and wished the incoming team success in achieving the ministry’s goals.
In his welcoming remarks, Ronoh pledged to support the incoming CS while expressing confidence that he will help steer the ministry to greater heights.
Duale on his part reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the ministry’s mandate, prioritising food security, and ensuring a smooth transition to the new leadership.
Kagwe, the former Health CS in the Jubilee administration, is the first nominee scheduled to appear before the Committee on Appointments next Tuesday (January 14) for vetting.
The committee is chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. Ex-Kiambu Governor William Kabogo will take the stand at 3 pm the same day followed by Lee Kinyanjui at 5 pm.
Kabogo has been nominated as the new ICT CS while Kinyanjui is set to take up that of Trade if approved.
Karanja on his part will be vetted for the new role on January 10 alongside former ICT CS Margaret Nyambura who has been nominated as ambassador to Ghana.
Others to be vetted on the same day are Ababu Namwamba (UNEP) and Noor Gabow (Haiti).
