Just like Ministers, Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) are usually appointed at the behest of the serving President to help the government of the day achieve its manifesto and campaign promises.
While most of them often serve and exit the stage quietly, there are those who implement far-reaching policies leaving behind legacies that outlive their stay in office, and even their entire lives.
Kenyans.co.ke looks at some of the Ministers and CSs who served Kenya from the 2002 elections under the late former President Mwai Kibaki to 2022 during the regime of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Raila Odinga – Thika Superhighway
The Azimio la Umoja leader is often referred to as “the father of Thika Superhighway” because at the time when the project was gaining momentum, he was the Minister of Roads and Public works under then-President Mwai Kibaki.
Kibaki delegated the ‘dirty work’ to Odinga including making some of the most difficult decisions that were at the time opposed by the high and mighty.
One such decision which surprised many and left others in tears was the demolition of Nakumatt Thika Road, a mega supermarket located at the then Roysambu roundabout and an adjacent Kenol Petrol Station among other expensive business premises.
Fred Matiangi – Digital Migration
Matiangi was the Cabinet Secretary for ICT under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government when the digital migration happened in 2015 amidst a lot of resistance from stakeholders.
Even though almost 90 per cent of Kenyan television viewers were left with blank screens after the government switched from analogue transmission to digital, Matiang’i’s relentless approach ensured the program’s success.
“We will not go back on digital migration. The media houses like all of us in Kenya are not above the law,” Matiangi told reporters then.
John Michuki – Michuki Traffic Rules
The late Minister is remembered for a lot of things including his no-nonsense approach toward issues as demonstrated during his time at the Transport ministry.
Today, almost all public service vehicles have a yellow line running across them, thanks to the reforms Michuki introduced in the transportation sector when he served as Transport minister under Kibaki.
The stringent laws, which were then – and still are – christened the ‘Michuki rules’ after the man who brought them to light, served to bring some order in the chaotic matatu industry.
Wycliffe Oparanya – Vision 2030
Leaders today are focused on the achievement of Vision 2030 but the main protagonist of the vision is the current ODM Deputy Party Leader and Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
During his time as the Minister for Planning, National Development, and Vision 2030 under the Grand Coalition Government, Oparanya came up with legislation that fully entrenched Vision 2030 into the governing system.
“We want to ensure that whatever party comes to power, they see through the implementation of this plan,” Oparanya revealed then.
Fred Matiangi – Exam Cheating
Matiang’i features on this list for a second time, and this time for his far-reaching reforms in the education sector following his time as the Education CS.
As a departure from tradition, the CS reorganised the school calendar and introduced far-reaching changes in the administration of national examinations.
During his time as the Education CS, Matiang’i ensured closer supervision of national exams, reduced the time taken to mark exams, and ensured reduced cases of cheating and cancellation of exams.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
