Digital strategist and former State House Director of Digital Communication Dennis Itumbi has been nominated for the role of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Information and Communication and Digital Economy by President William Ruto.
Itumbi is a close ally of Ruto and has been a vocal supporter of the Deputy President in the political arena.
Itumbi's nomination comes alongside that of former Starehe MP Charles Njagua, popularly known as Jaguar, who has been nominated as the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports.
Jaguar, who is a popular Kenyan musician, has been actively involved in politics and is a member of the Jubilee Party, which is led by Ruto.
The two close allies of Ruto were nominated alongside 48 other individuals, whose names were submitted to Parliament for vetting on Thursday. The nominations are in line with Article 132(4)(a) of the Kenyan Constitution, which allows the President to appoint Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and CASs with the approval of Parliament.
In a communication to Parliament, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei notified that Ruto, following the recommendation of the Public Service Commission, had nominated various persons as Chief Administrative Secretaries.
"By dint of the executive action, the nominations have been transmitted to the national Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament in accordance with the Public Appointments Act," Koskei added.
Itumbi was shortlisted for the CAS position and was interviewed on March 1, indicating that the process leading to the nomination was transparent and thorough. With his experience in digital communication, Itumbi is expected to bring his expertise to the Ministry of Information and Communication and Digital Economy, which is tasked with overseeing Kenya's digital agenda.
Meanwhile, Jaguar's nomination is expected to bring fresh perspective and energy to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports, which is responsible for promoting and developing youth-related programs, as well as overseeing Kenya's sports and cultural activities.
In addition to his successful music career and his role as a politician, Charles Njagua Kanyi, aka Jaguar, is also known for his philanthropic work. He has been involved in several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of underprivileged communities in Kenya.
For example, in 2018, Jaguar launched a program called "Jaguar Kazi Initiative" which was aimed at creating employment opportunities for young people in Nairobi. Through the initiative, he was able to provide over 200 job opportunities in various sectors including construction, hospitality, and retail.
Jaguar has also been involved in environmental conservation efforts. In 2019, he was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Nairobi River and pledged to work towards cleaning up the river and restoring it to its natural state. He has also been involved in tree-planting initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability in Kenya.
Furthermore, Jaguar has been a vocal advocate for the rights of musicians in Kenya. He has been involved in initiatives aimed at promoting fair compensation for artists and protecting their intellectual property rights.
In 2020, he was appointed as the Chairman of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), a government agency that is responsible for combating drug and substance abuse in Kenya.
Overall, Jaguar is a multi-talented individual who has made significant contributions in various sectors in Kenya, including music, politics, philanthropy, environmental conservation, and advocacy for the rights of artists.
