History is made as Mutahi Kagwe is nominated to serve in the cabinet for the third time, becoming the first personality from the Mt. Kenya region to serve under three different Presidents.
Kagwe, who is no stranger to the corridors of power, has also served as the member of parliament for Mukurweini constituency (2002-2007), and as the first Senator for Nyeri County (2013-2017).
His first stint in the hallowed cabinet offices was as the ICT Minister under the third President, the late Mwai Kibaki between 2005 & 2007 and his second came 11 days before Covid 19 hit Kenya (2020-2022), when the fourth president Uhuru Kenyatta, tapped him to lead the Ministry of Health.
This third stint is even more impressive as Kagwe has been proposed for the position of cabinet secretary for Agriculture and Livestock development by Kenya’s fifth President, William Samoei Ruto, from outside the ranks of the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, and at a time when the country is going through unprecedented socio-politico-economic challenges post-Covid 19, and after the July Gen Zs protests.
So, what makes Kagwe stand head and shoulders above his peers, and why did the president settle on him?
Described as an intelligent, all-hands-on-deck, and open-minded person who treasures meritocracy, with a voracious appetite for knowledge and attention to detail, Kagwe is a suave communicator who is relatable and empathetic.
This is a great asset for the president and his team, amidst accusations that some of his allies are unable to read the room and are hamstrung when it comes to easily communicating the administration’s agenda.
Kagwe’s masterly of strategic public communication was on full display during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic days when his regular updates on the government’s efforts to manage both the disease and its adverse impacts on the lives of Kenyans, often breaking down complex facts about the disease with an ease that reassured Kenyans that they were in safe hands.
Kagwe, with 40 years of experience, having served with distinction in the private sector, the legislature, and the Executive, is an amiable, collegial, battle-tested leader in the corporate, legislative, and cabinet.
This experience, and his demeanour, come in handy as the president executes a delicate political balancing act and resets his administration’s development and political priorities, crafting it as a stable, inclusive, competent, broad-based government serving all Kenyans without fear or favour.
It also reassures Kenya’s neighbours and development partners that the administration has listened to, and acted upon the counsel offered by citizens and partners alike about addressing some of the headwinds identified in the last two years.
Hailing from Nyeri and the populous central region of the country, Kagwe brings gravitas to the table.
With the president having an eye on the populous Mt. Kenya bloc that backed him to a man in 2022, Kagwe will be expected to spearhead the president’s political agenda in the region, alongside others like DP Kithure Kindiki.
Kagwe, albeit has a better name and face recognition and appeal than any of his peers.
Further, having worked under Kibaki and Uhuru who both hail from the region, with both former presidents long remembered for their achievements, Kagwe is an assurance to the restive region that Ruto means well and has their interests at heart.
