Former Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT), Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, has formally declined her nomination as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Ghana. This decision comes weeks after President William Ruto reshuffled his cabinet, dropping two cabinet secretaries, including Ndung’u.
In a letter addressed to the Defence, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committee, which is vetting President Ruto’s ambassadorial nominees, Ndung’u cited personal and family issues as her reasons for rejecting the appointment.
“I wish to express my gratitude for the invitation to appear before the departmental committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations on January 10, 2025. However, pursuant to Section 6(10) of the Public Appointment Parliamentary Approval Act No. 3 of 2011, I regret to inform you that I will not be appearing before the committee for the approval hearing,” her letter read.
Ndung’u, who was set to appear for vetting on Friday, January 10, stated that her personal circumstances would not allow her to assume the role of High Commissioner to Ghana. Her letter was read to the committee by its chair, Belgut MP Nelson Koech.
Following her withdrawal, MP Koech called on the Head of Public Service to engage nominees thoroughly before shortlisting them, to avoid similar rejections in the future.
The former CS’s decision marks the second time a high-profile nominee under Ruto’s administration has turned down an ambassadorial role. In 2024, former Mugirango West MP Vincent Kemosi declined his nomination as an ambassador, also citing personal and family issues.
The cabinet reshuffle that led to Ndung’u’s reassignment was announced by State House Chief of Staff Felix Koskei as part of efforts to align government operations with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Koskei explained that the reshuffle aimed to enhance service delivery and address the needs of Kenyans more effectively.
“These nominations and appointments are part of the President’s strategic realignment of government operations to better address the needs of Kenyans,” Koskei stated.
As part of the changes, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo was nominated to take over as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy.
Ndung’u’s rejection of the ambassadorial role adds to the growing scrutiny of recent cabinet reshuffles, raising questions about the process of appointing nominees to key government roles.
