Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya are among the most powerful appointed public officials in the national government.
They head ministries, implement government policy, supervise state departments and report to the President. Unlike the old constitutional order, Cabinet Secretaries do not sit in Parliament. They are appointed from outside the National Assembly and Senate, then vetted and approved before taking office.
Under the Constitution of Kenya, the Cabinet consists of the President, Deputy President, Attorney-General and not fewer than 14 and not more than 22 Cabinet Secretaries. This structure gives the President room to form a government while still limiting the size of the Cabinet.
The current Cabinet under President William Ruto includes political veterans, former governors, technocrats, lawyers, economists and experienced public administrators. It reflects the broad-based government arrangement that followed major political changes in 2024 and further reshuffles in 2025.
This guide gives the updated list of Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya, their ministries, appointment rules, salary structure, benefits and key responsibilities.
Updated List of Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya 2025
| No. | Ministry / Office | Cabinet Secretary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs | Musalia Mudavadi |
| 2 | Interior and National Administration | Kipchumba Murkomen |
| 3 | National Treasury and Economic Planning | John Mbadi |
| 4 | Defence | Soipan Tuya |
| 5 | Health | Aden Duale |
| 6 | Roads and Transport | Davis Chirchir |
| 7 | Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development | Alice Wahome |
| 8 | Education | Julius Migos Ogamba |
| 9 | Agriculture and Livestock Development | Mutahi Kagwe |
| 10 | Energy and Petroleum | James Opiyo Wandayi |
| 11 | Investments, Trade and Industry | Lee Kinyanjui |
| 12 | Tourism and Wildlife | Rebecca Miano |
| 13 | Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs | Hassan Ali Joho |
| 14 | Co-operatives and MSMEs Development | Wycliffe Oparanya |
| 15 | Water, Sanitation and Irrigation | Eric Muriithi Muuga |
| 16 | Environment, Climate Change and Forestry | Dr Deborah Mulongo Barasa |
| 17 | Information, Communications and the Digital Economy | William Kabogo Gitau |
| 18 | Public Service and Human Capital Development | Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku |
| 19 | Labour and Social Protection | Alfred Mutua |
| 20 | East African Community and Regional Affairs | Beatrice Askul Moe |
| 21 | Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports | Salim Mvurya |
| 22 | Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage | Hanna Wendot Cheptumo |
Other Senior Cabinet-Level Officials
Some senior officials sit in or work closely with Cabinet but are not counted as Cabinet Secretaries.
| Office | Holder |
| President | William Samoei Ruto |
| Deputy President | Kithure Kindiki |
| Attorney-General | Dorcas Agik Oduor |
| Secretary to the Cabinet | Mercy Kiiru Wanjau |
| Head of Public Service | Felix Koskei |
The Attorney-General is a member of Cabinet under the Constitution, while the Secretary to the Cabinet supports Cabinet administration and record-keeping.
Who Appoints Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya?
Cabinet Secretaries are nominated by the President.
After nomination, the names are submitted to the National Assembly for vetting. Parliament examines their suitability, qualifications, integrity, experience and ability to lead a ministry.
If the National Assembly approves a nominee, the President formally appoints the person as Cabinet Secretary. The appointee then takes the oath of office before assuming duties.
This process is meant to create a balance between presidential authority and parliamentary oversight.
Can a Cabinet Secretary Be an MP?
No.
A Cabinet Secretary in Kenya cannot be a Member of Parliament. This is one of the major differences between the 2010 constitutional order and the previous system.
Before the current Constitution, ministers were usually appointed from Parliament. Today, Cabinet Secretaries are appointed from outside Parliament to separate executive leadership from legislative representation.
This system is meant to improve accountability because Cabinet Secretaries can be summoned by Parliament to answer questions, but they do not vote in the House.
Role of Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya
Cabinet Secretaries perform several important functions in government.
They are responsible for policy implementation, ministry leadership, budget oversight, public service delivery and coordination with state departments.
Each Cabinet Secretary works with Principal Secretaries, Chief Administrative structures where applicable, directors, parastatals and technical teams within the ministry.
Their main duties include:
- Implementing government policy
- Advising the President on ministry matters
- Coordinating state departments
- Supervising public agencies under their ministry
- Answering questions before parliamentary committees
- Managing ministry budgets and programmes
- Representing Kenya in sector-specific regional and international engagements
- Ensuring service delivery to citizens
- Supporting national development priorities
Cabinet Secretaries are not lawmakers, but they play a central role in turning laws, plans and campaign promises into government action.
Cabinet Secretary Salary in Kenya 2025
The salary of a Cabinet Secretary in Kenya is set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
The widely used SRC baseline for Cabinet Secretaries is Ksh 957,000 per month. A planned adjustment for the 2024/2025 financial year would have raised the figure to Ksh 990,000, but the increase was put on hold after public pressure and fiscal concerns.
For practical public reference, many salary guides still use Ksh 957,000 as the baseline figure for Cabinet Secretaries.
Cabinet Secretary Salary Breakdown
| Component | Amount |
| Basic salary | Ksh 574,200 |
| House allowance | Ksh 200,000 |
| Salary market adjustment | Ksh 182,800 |
| Total gross monthly salary | Ksh 957,000 |
This amount is gross pay before statutory deductions and other applicable obligations.
Cabinet Secretary Benefits and Allowances
Cabinet Secretaries also receive benefits set or guided by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
These benefits may include official transport, medical cover, car loan, mortgage facility, airtime allowance, security and travel allowances where applicable.
Main Benefits for Cabinet Secretaries
| Benefit | Details |
| Official car | Engine capacity not exceeding 3000cc |
| Medical cover | Covers the officer, one spouse and up to four eligible children |
| Inpatient cover | Up to Ksh 10 million |
| Outpatient cover | Up to Ksh 300,000 |
| Maternity cover | Up to Ksh 150,000 |
| Dental cover | Up to Ksh 75,000 |
| Optical cover | Up to Ksh 75,000 |
| Car loan | Up to Ksh 10 million |
| Mortgage | Up to Ksh 40 million |
| Airtime | Up to Ksh 20,000 per month |
| Annual leave allowance | Ksh 50,000 |
| Security | Provided according to official government assessment |
| Travel allowance | Paid according to SRC-approved rates |
These benefits are meant to support official duties and are not ordinary cash bonuses unless specifically allowed by SRC rules.
1. Musalia Mudavadi
Musalia Mudavadi serves as Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
He is one of Kenya’s most experienced political figures, having previously served as Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet minister. In the current Cabinet, he coordinates government business at a senior level while also handling foreign relations and diaspora affairs.
His ministry is important because it manages Kenya’s diplomatic relations, international partnerships, consular services and engagement with Kenyans living abroad.
2. Kipchumba Murkomen
Kipchumba Murkomen is the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.
This is one of the most powerful ministries in Kenya. It oversees national security coordination, internal administration, public order, immigration-related functions, national government administration officers and coordination of security agencies.
Murkomen previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport before being moved to Interior.
3. John Mbadi
John Mbadi is the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning.
His ministry handles national budgeting, fiscal policy, public debt management, economic planning, revenue policy and financial coordination across government.
The Treasury is central to Kenya’s economy because it determines how public resources are raised, allocated and managed.
4. Soipan Tuya
Soipan Tuya is the Cabinet Secretary for Defence.
The Defence ministry oversees the Kenya Defence Forces and national defence policy. It is responsible for protecting Kenya’s sovereignty, supporting regional security operations and ensuring military readiness.
Tuya previously served in the Environment docket before moving to Defence.
5. Aden Duale
Aden Duale is the Cabinet Secretary for Health.
The Health ministry is responsible for national health policy, hospitals, health reforms, universal health coverage, public health, disease control and coordination of national health agencies.
Duale previously served as Defence Cabinet Secretary and later Environment Cabinet Secretary before being moved to the Health docket.
6. Davis Chirchir
Davis Chirchir is the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport.
His ministry manages roads, transport policy, aviation, maritime transport, rail development and major infrastructure projects. The docket is important to Kenya’s economy because roads and transport networks support trade, agriculture, tourism and regional movement.
Chirchir previously served in the Energy docket before moving to Roads and Transport.
7. Alice Wahome
Alice Wahome is the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development.
Her ministry handles land policy, title processing, public works, affordable housing, urban planning and settlement development. The docket is central to Kenya’s housing agenda and land administration reforms.
8. Julius Migos Ogamba
Julius Migos Ogamba is the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
The Education ministry oversees basic education, secondary education, higher education policy, curriculum coordination and education reforms. It works closely with agencies such as the Teachers Service Commission, universities, colleges and examination bodies.
Education remains one of the largest and most sensitive ministries because it affects millions of learners, teachers and families.
9. Mutahi Kagwe
Mutahi Kagwe is the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development.
He is a former Health Cabinet Secretary, senator and long-serving public figure. His current docket covers food security, crop production, livestock development, agricultural policy and farmer support programmes.
Agriculture remains a major pillar of Kenya’s economy, so this ministry is central to food prices, rural incomes and export earnings.
10. James Opiyo Wandayi
James Opiyo Wandayi is the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.
His ministry manages electricity policy, petroleum regulation, energy generation, transmission, distribution and renewable energy development.
The docket affects households, businesses, manufacturers and investors because energy costs influence the wider economy.
11. Lee Kinyanjui
Lee Kinyanjui is the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry.
The ministry is responsible for trade policy, industrial development, investment promotion, manufacturing and private-sector growth.
Kinyanjui previously served as Governor of Nakuru County and is expected to bring county-level development experience into the national trade and industrialisation agenda.
12. Rebecca Miano
Rebecca Miano is the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife.
Her ministry oversees tourism promotion, wildlife conservation, national parks, tourism regulation and Kenya’s global tourism brand.
Tourism is one of Kenya’s major foreign-exchange earners, making this docket important for jobs, hospitality, conservation and international marketing.
13. Hassan Ali Joho
Hassan Ali Joho is the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
The ministry focuses on mineral resources, ocean economy, fisheries, maritime affairs and coastal economic opportunities.
Joho is a former Mombasa Governor and remains one of the most prominent political figures from the Coast region.
14. Wycliffe Oparanya
Wycliffe Oparanya is the Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSMEs Development.
The ministry supports savings and credit co-operatives, small businesses, micro-enterprises and entrepreneurship development.
Oparanya previously served as Governor of Kakamega County and is widely known for his experience in devolution and finance-related public administration.
15. Eric Muriithi Muuga
Eric Muriithi Muuga is the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation.
This ministry manages water resources, sanitation policy, irrigation schemes and water infrastructure.
The docket is important for households, agriculture, climate resilience and food production.
16. Dr Deborah Mulongo Barasa
Dr Deborah Mulongo Barasa is the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.
Her ministry handles environmental protection, climate policy, forest conservation, carbon markets, restoration programmes and climate adaptation.
This docket is increasingly important as Kenya faces drought, flooding, deforestation, climate pressure and international climate-finance opportunities.
17. William Kabogo Gitau
William Kabogo is the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.
His ministry oversees ICT policy, digital transformation, telecommunications, e-government services, data policy and digital economy growth.
Kabogo previously served as Governor of Kiambu County and is one of the most recognisable political figures in central Kenya.
18. Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku
Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku is the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development.
His ministry is responsible for public service management, performance systems, government human capital, training and delivery reforms.
Ruku joined the Cabinet after changes in the Public Service docket.
19. Alfred Mutua
Alfred Mutua is the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection.
His ministry handles labour relations, employment policy, social protection, pensions, workplace standards and vulnerable-group support programmes.
Mutua previously served as Governor of Machakos County and has held other Cabinet positions under President Ruto.
20. Beatrice Askul Moe
Beatrice Askul Moe is the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community and Regional Affairs.
Her ministry coordinates Kenya’s role in the East African Community, regional integration, cross-border development and relations with neighbouring states.
This docket matters because Kenya is a major player in regional trade, security, transport and diplomacy.
21. Salim Mvurya
Salim Mvurya is the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.
His ministry oversees youth programmes, sports development, creative industries, talent promotion and major sporting preparations.
Mvurya previously served as Governor of Kwale County and held other national roles before moving to the youth and sports docket.
22. Hanna Wendot Cheptumo
Hanna Wendot Cheptumo is the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage.
Her ministry focuses on gender policy, cultural development, arts promotion, heritage preservation and empowerment programmes.
The docket is important for equality, creative identity, cultural preservation and social inclusion.
Why Cabinet Secretaries Matter in Kenya
Cabinet Secretaries shape how government promises become real services.
A ministry can affect food prices, school funding, hospital reforms, roads, digital services, police coordination, trade policy, job creation, water access and climate response.
This makes Cabinet appointments politically and economically important.
When a Cabinet Secretary performs well, government policy can move faster. When a ministry struggles, service delivery slows and public pressure rises.
Can Cabinet Secretaries Be Dismissed?
Yes.
The President may reassign or dismiss a Cabinet Secretary. Parliament may also initiate a process requiring dismissal if there are grounds such as gross violation of the Constitution, serious misconduct or credible allegations of serious crime.
This gives both the President and Parliament roles in Cabinet accountability.
Key Takeaways
- Kenya’s Cabinet can have between 14 and 22 Cabinet Secretaries.
- Cabinet Secretaries are nominated by the President and approved by the National Assembly.
- Cabinet Secretaries do not sit in Parliament.
- The current Cabinet includes 22 Cabinet Secretaries.
- Musalia Mudavadi serves as Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS.
- Kipchumba Murkomen is Interior CS.
- John Mbadi is Treasury CS.
- Aden Duale is Health CS.
- Dr Deborah Barasa is Environment CS.
- Salim Mvurya is Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports CS.
- The widely used Cabinet Secretary salary baseline is Ksh 957,000 gross per month.
- Cabinet Secretaries also receive official transport, medical cover, car loan and mortgage facilities under SRC rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya?
Cabinet Secretaries are appointed officials who head national ministries and help the President implement government policy.
How many Cabinet Secretaries does Kenya have?
Kenya can have not fewer than 14 and not more than 22 Cabinet Secretaries. The current Cabinet has 22 Cabinet Secretaries.
Who appoints Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya?
The President nominates Cabinet Secretaries, and the National Assembly vets and approves them before appointment.
Can a Cabinet Secretary be an MP?
No. A Cabinet Secretary cannot be a Member of Parliament under the Constitution of Kenya.
Who is the Prime Cabinet Secretary in Kenya?
Musalia Mudavadi is the Prime Cabinet Secretary and also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Who is the Interior Cabinet Secretary in Kenya?
Kipchumba Murkomen is the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.
Who is the Treasury Cabinet Secretary in Kenya?
John Mbadi is the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning.
Who is the Health Cabinet Secretary in Kenya?
Aden Duale is the Cabinet Secretary for Health.
Who is the Education Cabinet Secretary in Kenya?
Julius Migos Ogamba is the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
Who is the Sports Cabinet Secretary in Kenya?
Salim Mvurya is the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.
What is the salary of a Cabinet Secretary in Kenya?
The commonly used gross monthly salary baseline is Ksh 957,000. A planned increase to Ksh 990,000 was put on hold.
What benefits do Cabinet Secretaries receive?
They receive benefits such as official transport, medical cover, car loan, mortgage facility, airtime and travel allowances where applicable.
Conclusion
Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya play a central role in national governance.
They manage ministries, implement policy, supervise government programmes and answer to both the President and Parliament. Their decisions affect nearly every part of public life, from schools and hospitals to roads, security, agriculture, water, jobs and technology.
The 2025 Cabinet reflects major political realignments and administrative changes in President William Ruto’s government. It includes experienced politicians, former governors, technocrats and senior public figures.
For citizens, knowing the full list of Cabinet Secretaries is important because it helps track responsibility, accountability and public service delivery.
As ministries continue implementing national priorities, Cabinet performance will remain one of the key measures of the government’s success.
Read Also: List of All Phone Numbers for the Kenyan 13th Parliament – Contact your MP today
