Inside Ruto’s Cabinet: A Team of Legal Experts
Following a recent legal setback where the courts nullified his Finance Act, 2023, President William Ruto responded by swearing in 19 Cabinet Secretaries, nearly half of whom are lawyers.
Among the newly sworn-in Cabinet members, eight hold advanced degrees in law. This brings the total number of lawyers in Ruto’s Cabinet to 10, including Attorney General nominee Dorcas Oduor and Secretary to the Cabinet Ms. Mercy Wanjau.
Ruto’s selection of legal professionals is seen as a strategic move to counter the significant legal challenges his administration has faced in the past two years. Many of these setbacks involve decisions that were either declared unconstitutional or are still pending in court, with some originating from Cabinet-approved policies.
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The nullification of the Finance Act, 2023, the blocking of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) appointments, and the quashing of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme are among the prominent legal battles the administration has faced, along with the removal of various officials from their posts.
These numerous cases suggest a potential gap in the quality of legal advice provided to the President by his Cabinet Secretaries, who are responsible for advising him on matters within their respective portfolios.
Moreover, when President Ruto formed the Presidential Task Force on Human Resources for Health, it faced immediate legal challenges, with several pressure groups deeming it unconstitutional and rushing to court.
Another task force appointed by Ruto to audit public debt was also met with legal resistance. The Law Society of Kenya’s Faith Odhiambo, who was named as a member, refused the appointment, arguing that it overstepped the Auditor General’s role. Meanwhile, petitions challenging the Affordable Housing Act remain pending in the High Court, with the court acknowledging the significance of the issues raised despite declining to suspend the levy collection.
International Law Experts in the Cabinet
The Cabinet is well-represented by legal professionals, including Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Alice Wahome (Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), Julius Ogamba (Education), Roselinda Tuya (Defence), Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Kipchumba Murkomen (Sports and Youth Affairs), and Justin Muturi (Public Service and Human Capital Development).
Prof. Kindiki holds a PhD in International Law and a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Pretoria, along with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Moi University. Ms. Wahome has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Legal Studies from the Kenya School of Law.
Mr. Ogamba holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi and a postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law, while Ms. Tuya earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Sustainable International Development from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Nairobi.
Ms. Miano, initially nominated for the Attorney General position before being reassigned to Tourism, holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, Manchester, UK, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi.
Mr. Wandayi, the former National Assembly Minority Leader, holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a Bachelor of Law Degree from Daystar University.
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Similarly, Mr. Murkomen has a Master of Laws (LL.M) from both American University’s Washington College of Law and the University of Pretoria, South Africa, along with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Nairobi. Mr. Muturi also holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Nairobi and a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
During the swearing-in ceremony at State House, President Ruto emphasized his commitment to leveraging the country’s legal and institutional frameworks to ensure the swift and conclusive resolution of all active cases within a specific timeframe.
Over the past month, the President has engaged in extensive consultations with leaders across various sectors to form a broad-based government, aiming to drive the radical transformation of the country’s economy and governance through inclusive bipartisanship.
Reflecting on the past year, President Ruto also criticized some Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries for their lack of awareness of their responsibilities, urging them to fully understand their roles and functions within their departments.
Inside Ruto’s Cabinet: A Team of Legal Experts
