This man Mutahi Kagwe

By Peter Ochieng

‘Mr fellow Kenyans,’ Mutahi Kagwe is back!

The former Nyeri Senator was among three new Cabinet Secretary (CS) appointees sworn in on Friday, January 17, 2025 on the lawns of State House Nairobi, a day after members of the National Assembly unanimously approved their nomination, after a successful vetting exercise.

Kagwe who last served in Cabinet as CS for health during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s final years in office, comes back as the man in charge of the Agriculture and Livestock Development docket.

He was sworn in alongside former Kiambu governor, William Gitau Kabogo (ICT and the Digital Economy), and former Nakuru governor, Lee Kinyanjui (Investments, Trade and Industry).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenyans baptized him ‘Mr fellow Kenyans,’ owing to his penchant to open his speeches with that phrase while updating Kenyans on the number of cases confirmed ‘In the last 24 hours.’

“Fellow Kenyans, as we battle another wave of Covid-19 pandemic, we must not forget the risks posed by the disease to those of us suffering from underlying conditions. Those with respiratory challenges could potentially suffer the most if exposed to the Covid-19 virus,” was one of his statements.

The 67-year-old Kagwe holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Insurance) degree from the University of Nairobi, and an MBA from the United States International University.

The seasoned politician served as the 5th Member of Parliament for Mukurweini Constituency from 2007 to 2007, and was the first Senator of Nyeri County after he was elected in 2013.

As a Member of Parliament, Kagwe chaired the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Trade, Tourism, and Planning, before his appointment as Minister for Information and Communications.

During his tenure, he spearheaded the construction of the transformational East African Marine System (EAMS), the first Fibre Optic Project for Eastern Africa.

It was during his term as Minister that Kenya launched MPESA, the world's first-ever mobile money transfer system. He is a professional member of the Marketing Society of Kenya, the Kenya Institute of Management among others.

He is married to Anne Wanjiku Mutahi, and over the years have been blessed with 4 children.

During his vetting this week, the CS touched on controversial topics such as mass vaccination of livestock and introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.

"The decision to vaccinate livestock ultimately lies with the owner. Experts will be involved to address misconceptions and provide facts," he said on livestock vaccination.

He emphasized the need for scientific validation before introducing (GMOs in Kenya. "We are not guinea pigs," he declared, in a highlight of his straight-shooting nature.

Welcome aboard, Mr fellow Kenyans!