Former Turkana MP Nakuleu lands top advisory role in Ruto’s expanding team
Nakuleu resigned from his position as Turkana County Assembly Speaker on February 26 after a motion to remove him from office was introduced by Kalokol Ward MCA Michael Ebenyo, citing gross misconduct.
Former Turkana North MP and EALA representative Christopher Doye Nakuleu has been appointed Senior Political Advisor to President William Ruto, joining a growing list of advisers in the current administration.
The former lawmaker, who also served as Speaker of the Turkana County Assembly until early this year, brings years of experience in politics and legislative affairs.
He represented Turkana North in Parliament for two terms between 2013 and 2022, and earlier served at the East African Legislative Assembly from 2007 to 2012.
Nakuleu resigned from his position as Turkana County Assembly Speaker on February 26 after a motion to remove him from office was introduced by Kalokol Ward MCA Michael Ebenyo, citing gross misconduct.
His appointment was applauded by East African Community Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul Moe, who acknowledged his political journey and readiness for the role.
"Congratulations, Christopher Doye Nakuleu, on your appointment as Senior Political Advisor to President William Ruto," the CS wrote on her X platform on Wednesday.
"Having served as an EALA (East African Legislative Assembly) member, Turkana North MP for two terms and recently as the Speaker of the County Assembly of Turkana, you have accumulated a wealth of valuable experience in the political arena to prepare you well for this role," she added.
Nakuleu now becomes part of a wider presidential advisory team which has grown to include 21 individuals tasked with offering guidance on a range of policy areas.
Among those already appointed are Makau Mutua (Constitutional Affairs), Moses Kuria (Economic Affairs), David Ndii (Chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors), Monica Juma (National Security), and Dominic Menjo (Food Security and Animal Production).
Other members of the team are Edward Kisiang’ani, Joseph Boinnet, Jaoko Oburu, Silvester Kasuku, Harriette Chiggai, Abdi Guliye, Nancy Laibuni, Kennedy Ogeto, Augustine Cheruiyot, Henry Kinyua, Joe Ager, Karisa Nzai, Ali Somane, Mohammed Hassan, and Steven Otieno.
However, the rising number of advisors has sparked fresh debate about the cost of governance, with the total budget for the team reportedly surpassing one billion shillings annually.
In a recent TV appearance, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi defended the appointments, stating that the Constitution places no cap on the number of advisors the president can hire.
Mbadi explained that while Cabinet Secretaries are now allowed to have only one advisor under new cost-saving measures, the president’s office is not subject to the same rule.
"The law allows the president to hire advisors. There is no provision regarding the number. The people of Kenya didn’t impose a limit. What they did was set a maximum number of Cabinet Secretaries," Mbadi stated.
He also said the Treasury cannot interfere with the president’s advisory appointments.
"I don’t have the authority to hire advisors for the president, and I don’t want us to go beyond my pay grade," Mbadi added.
He was responding to criticism sparked by an earlier circular from former Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u which sought to reduce the number of government advisors.
Mbadi clarified that while the directive was enforced in ministries, it did not affect the Office of the President.
As the list continues to grow, public scrutiny around the number and cost of presidential advisers has remained intense.
