Ruto Nominates 51 Principal Secretaries, Faces Gender Balance Critique

President William Ruto has forwarded a list of 51 nominees for Principal Secretary positions to Parliament for vetting. The list, drawn from over 9,000 applicants, includes a mix of politicians, academics, and technocrats. However, it has immediately faced criticism for falling short of the constitutional two-thirds gender rule, with only 14 women nominated (approximately 27%). Civil society groups and the opposition have threatened legal action, while the President’s supporters argue the nominees were chosen on merit and regional balance.