Ruto nominates late senator Cheptumo's widow for CS position

President William Ruto has nominated the widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo for a Cabinet Secretary position.

Ruto, in an announcement by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, nominated Wendot as CS in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage.

Wendot, if approved by Parliament, will join the nation’s apex policy organ as Cabinet Secretary.

Also nominated is Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku (Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes).

Ruku will replace Justin Muturi as CS in the ministry if approved by Parliament.

“The President has congratulated the nominees on their nominations and conveyed his best wishes as they undergo the requisite parliamentary approval process in fulfillment of the legal requirements set under our Constitution,” Koskei stated.

 The Ministry of Gender has been without a CS after the National Assembly Committee on Appointments rejected the nomination of Stella Soi Lang’at in August 2024.

The Committee, whose report was adopted by the whole House, said the nomination of Stella Soi Langat as Minister for Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage could not be approved, given that she failed to convince lawmakers that she was suitable for the role.

The Committee said the nominee did not demonstrate knowledge of topical, administrative, and technical issues touching on the portfolio to which she had been nominated.

In the report, members of the Committee, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula argued that Langat failed to demonstrate adequate knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage to which she had been nominated to lead.

“The nominee is unsuitable for the position to which she was nominated as she was unable to respond in a satisfactory manner to the queries raised during the approval hearing relating to Gender, Heritage and Culture,” the report said.

According to the legislators, the Ministry is strategically important and is tasked with overseeing critical national policies and services.