Fired Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has been nominated as Kenya’s UN envoy after her tumultuous removal from office. Her appointment replaces Grace Okara, who served a brief term. Nakhumicha has reflected on the abrupt changes in her life, acknowledging her regrets during her tenure, while expressing hope for the future.
Following her controversial tenure as Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha has been nominated as the country’s Permanent Representative to UN-Habitat. This position follows her dismissal, which was part of President William Ruto’s wider reshuffle encompassing all Cabinet members in response to recent protests. Her appointment replaces Grace Okara, who held the role for only seven months.
Nakhumicha was removed from her post on July 11, 2024, coinciding with a significant cabinet overhaul aimed at addressing public grievances. Only a few officials, such as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, remained unaffected by the shake-up, which sought to bring in opposition figures to support government initiatives.
Since her removal, Nakhumicha has reflected on the drastic shift in her circumstances. In her remarks, she shared the emotional challenge of transitioning from a prominent political role back to civilian life. “You sleep as a CS, and when you wake up, you are not one,” she expressed, highlighting her struggle with the sudden change in identity.
Despite the setback, she maintained a hopeful outlook, expressing gratitude and optimism about future opportunities. “God has been good to me, and I am expecting good things to come my way soon,” she shared with Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit. Nakhumicha has acknowledged that one of her regrets was failing to resolve persistent doctors’ strikes during her term as health CS, indicating the challenges she faced in the role.
Susan Nakhumicha’s nomination to the UN-Habitat follows a turbulent cabinet tenure marked by public outcry and protests. Her transition signifies a shift from her role as Health CS, where she faced significant challenges, notably the inability to resolve healthcare strikes. Despite the difficulties, she remains optimistic about her future and carries forward her experience into an international diplomatic role.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
