Kenyan First Cabinet
Generally, the Cabinet of Kenya is made up of the President, Deputy President, Attorney General and Cabinet Secretaries. The 2010 Constitution of Kenya allows a maximum of 22 ministries. As per this new constitution, a Cabinet Secretary is not a Member of the Kenyan Parliament and has to be vetted by a parliamentary committee before their appointment.
In Chapter 9 and article 152 of the Kenyan new 2010 Constitution;
(1) The Cabinet consists of–
(a) the President;
(b) the Deputy President;
(c) the Attorney-General; and
(d) not fewer than fourteen and not more than twenty-two Cabinet Secretaries.
But as per the old constitution, things were different as ministers were also members of parliament. Currently, nearly most Kenyans are familiar with various Cabinet Secretaries and their dockets. Some of the current Cabinet Secretaries are even more familiar that most citizens boldly relate to their work ethics.
But, how much do you know about the Kenyan first cabinet (the independence cabinet)? Do you know why some of the major streets are called Tom Mboya street, Kenyatta Avenue, James Gishuru road among others? Well some of them were named after Kenyan first prominent ministers in the early 1960’s.
The founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta formed the first Kenyan government/cabinet between 1963-1966, the second between 1966-1969, third between 1969-1974 and his last cabinet was between 1974-1978.
The First Cabinet Constituted of:
- Prime Minister
Jomo Kenyatta
- Minister of Home Affairs
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
- Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Thomas J. Mboya
- Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Joseph S.Gichuru
- Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office
Joseph A.Murumbi
- Minister of State for Pan African Affairs
Mbiyu Koinange
- Minister of Health and Housing
Dr. Njoroge Mungai
- Minister of Education
Joseph D. Otiende
- Minister of Agriculture
Bruce McKenzie
- Minister of Local Government
Samuel O. Ayodo
- Minister of Commerce and Industry
Julius G. Kiano
- Minister of Works, Communication, Power
Dawson Mwanyumba
- Minister of Labour and Social Services
Eluid Mwendwa
- Minister of Natural Resources
Laurance Sagini
- Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism
Ramogi Ochieng Oneko
- Minister of Lands and Settlement
Jackson H. Angaine
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