Ruto Reassigns Key Cabinet Secretaries in Major Shake-Up

President William Ruto has reshuffled his Cabinet, making key changes aimed at boosting performance in critical ministries.

The shake-up, announced on March 26, 2025, saw Aden Duale moved from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry to the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, Deborah Mlongo Barasa, who was the Health Cabinet Secretary, took over Duale’s previous role at the Environment Ministry.

This is the third ministry for Aden Duale in just two years. He started as the Cabinet Secretary for Defence in October 2022, shifted to the Environment Ministry in July 2024, and now takes charge of Health.

Deborah Barasa joined the Cabinet as Health CS in August 2024 after working as an infectious diseases consultant at the World Health Organization’s Nairobi hub.

Her experience in internal medicine and communicable disease prevention shaped her time at the ministry, and she now steps into the Environment role.

The reshuffle highlights President Ruto’s strategy to strengthen key ministries and address emerging challenges in health and environmental management.