President William Ruto’s Cabinet secretary nominees have committed to dismantling entrenched cartels if confirmed.
During their vetting before the Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, nominees Aden Duale (Environment), Andrew Karanja (Agriculture), Eric Mugaa (Water), and Davis Chirchir (Roads) issued strong warnings to those exploiting government ministries for personal gain.
Duale pledged to revoke title deeds for forest lands unlawfully acquired, including those held by high-ranking officials. He stated, “In the first 30 days, we will start revoking titles, including those belonging to prominent figures in government, and I am prepared to face any consequences.”
Duale, originally nominated for the Defense docket before being reassigned, assured the committee of his readiness to serve in any capacity designated by the President. He is noted for a significant increase in his net worth since his previous tenure.
Agriculture nominee Andrew Karanja promised to tackle corruption networks hindering service delivery and to address cartels in the fertilizer sector. He refuted claims of having served as a personal assistant to former Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and committed to reviving agricultural services and banning cancer-linked pesticides.
Eric Mugaa, the Water nominee, emphasized his commitment to integrity and accountability within the sector, promising to use Public-Private Partnerships to fund large-scale projects if confirmed. Despite his young age, Mugaa has a substantial net worth and chose to invest in farming rather than personal luxury.
Davis Chirchir, a returning Cabinet member, faced scrutiny over his previous tenure at the Energy Ministry, where he was criticized for high energy costs. He defended the government-to-government oil deal, stating it effectively addressed the dollar payment issue and improved cargo importation.
Overall, the nominees presented a unified front against corruption and inefficiency, signaling a potential shift in how their respective ministries will operate.
