Luhya leaders react over Barasa's new docket in Ruto's cabinet

A section of leaders drawn from the Luhya Community have been taken aback over a decision by President William Ruto to move CS Deborah Barasa from the Health Ministry to the Environment one, hours after assuring them that she would remain in her position, reports the Star.

The president had hosted the leaders at State House, Nairobi, where he urged them to fully back his administration instead of behaving like outsiders within the Kenya Kwanza government.

Among those present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and Barasa (now Health).

"Forget the rumours you are hearing about Dr. Barasa being removed from the Ministry of Health. She is one of the most diligent and dependable CSs I have, and I have absolute trust in her. Let me assure you, nobody is moving her from that docket," the president reportedly told Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale when asked about the speculation.

Khalwale had sought clarification regarding widespread claims of a scheme to impeach Wetang’ula as Speaker and to remove Barasa from the Health Ministry.

However, just hours after the leaders left State House, President Ruto reassigned Barasa to the Environment Ministry, replacing her with Aden Duale at the Health docket.

The meeting was attended by elected Luhya leaders, except for Governors Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga) and George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia), Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi. Also present were Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries from the region.

Ottichilo was absent with apologies, while Omtatah, Amisi, and Natembeya—who have positioned themselves as vocal government critics—were not invited.

During the discussions, Ruto urged the leaders to rally support for his administration’s plan to lease sugar milling factories to private investors.

The president also took time to highlight his political dominance, asserting that he remains unbeatable in 2027 and that those attempting to challenge him are merely deceiving themselves.

Sources at the meeting indicated that the president appeared displeased with some leaders who, rather than providing constructive solutions, had been openly criticizing his government’s projects.

Just last month, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa had raised concerns over the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), calling on President Ruto to step in.

“I want to take this opportunity to tell President Ruto that Kenyans are struggling because the SHA is not working. There is no money, and the system cannot accommodate the millions of Kenyans who have registered,” Barasa lamented.