The new Cabinet Secretary of Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, is not a new face in the political arena. However, the MP's journey to the top of the ranks in President William Ruto's administration was not an easy ride.

Ruku was appointed on Wednesday afternoon as the Public Service CS, taking over the slot from embattled Justin Muturi who, before his appointment eight months ago, served as the Democratic Party (DP) of Kenya leader. His successor is the lone MP elected under the party.

Currently, Ruku serves as a Member of Parliament for Mbeere North in Embu County, the same county that Muturi hails from.

The 44-year-old MP has contested for parliamentary seats, including the Embu Senate seat, three times. However, his efforts in the 2013 and 2017 general polls ended up in disappointment but despite the defeats, the MP did not show any sign of giving up.

In 2013, Ruku vied for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat via the Federal Party of Kenya (FPK), which was headed by Cyrus Jirongo, but he lost the seat to  Charles Njagagua.

Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Kariuki Ruku at Parliamentary chambers.

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Geoffrey Ruku

In 2017, Ruku once again decided to go a step higher and vie for the Embu Senate seat via a Jubilee Party ticket, but he was once again thrashed by Njeru Ndwiga.

Finally, in 2022, the MP vied for the Mbeere North Parliamentary seat under the DP, where he made a comeback and thrashed Njagagua, who was seeking a third term.

In the elections, Ruku had 17,069 votes, beating three other candidates, including Muriuki Njagagua who was under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and managed to get 16,422 votes. Other candidates who were contesting for the seatwere  Patrisio Njiru and Njuki Ngari.

The MP graduated from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in 2002 and later joined the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a Post-graduate Diploma in Diplomacy and international relations in 2005, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance in 2009.

Ruku also served as a chairman of the Mbeere University Students Association(MUSA) during his time at the University of Nairobi.

The MP is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Nairobi's Wangari Maathai Institute of Peace Studies.

Between 2006 and 2017, Ruku also served as Mashav Coordinator in the Embassy Of Israel, was also the founder of the Carbon Manna Africa and Climate Pal, and also an independent contractor of Fair Climate Southern Africa.

Despite being a first-time MP, Ruku has been one of the most vocal defenders of President Ruto’s administration, despite the strong opposition Ruto is facing from leaders in the Mount Kenya Region over unfulfilled government promises. 

Ruku’s most defining moment was in 2023 when he declared that 47 Mt Kenya MPs had embraced CS Kindiki as the region’s new bridge to the Executive, effectively deserting the former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, who has led the country's opposition side in the past six months

New Gender CS Hanna Wendot

On the other hand, the new gender CS  Hanna Wendot Cheptumo is the widow of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, who died in February.

Wendot is a lawyer by profession, a journey that was inspired by her husband the late William Cheptumo. Before tying the knot with Cheptumo, Hannah worked at a government office in Nyayo House, before later joining a law firm erected by her husband.

On March 1st, 2025, during the burial of the late senator, President William Ruto promised to give Hannah a job in honor of her late husband, however, he did not disclose the exact job he would give her.

As the new cabinet secretary for gender, culture, the arts, and heritage, Hannah will be mandated to steer policies and initiatives that promote gender equality, cultural diversity, and artistic expression.

President William Ruto and other government officials attending the burial of former Baringo Senator William Cheptumo on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

PCS