Justina Wamae declines Ruto's appointment to health task force, cites being on maternity leave
- Former Roots party presidential running-mate Justina Wamae declined President William Ruto's appointment to a 20-member task force
- Wamae expressed gratitude for the recognition but cited maternity leave and motherhood duties as reasons for declining the role
- The task force, chaired by Khama Rogo with Judith Guserwa as Vice Chairperson, will audit health resources
- Other notable appointees, including Patrick Amoth and Dennis Miskellah, are tasked with addressing human resources for health
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Former Roots party presidential running-mate Justina Wamae has declined President William Ruto's appointment.
Source: Facebook
The head of state appointed Wamae to a 20-member taskforce in a gazette notice on Friday, July 6.
Ruto stated that the team would be chaired by Khama Rogo, with Judith Guserwa as his vice chairperson.
With Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo and Morris Kaburu as joint secretaries, the president said the Human Resources for Health (HRH) would audit health resources.
Why Wamae turned down Ruto
In a statement on her social media platforms, Wamae expressed her gratitude to the head of state for recognising her ability.
However, Wamae declined to take up the role, arguing that she was on maternity leave and the job requirements would affect her duty as a mother.
"Thank you, Mr President William Samoei Ruto, for recognising my strength, capacity, and ability and subsequently appointing me to serve in the presidential taskforce on addressing human resources for health vide gazette notice NO. 8437 Executive Order NO. 5 OF 2024 dated 5th July, 2024.
However, after careful consideration, I have decided to decline your offer given that I'm currently on maternity leave and this development would affect my ability to work effectively at this time," she wrote.
Other members appointed to the task force are Patrick Amoth, Dennis Miskellah, John Masasabi, Toseef Din, Wilson Aruasa, Doreen Rhoda Kanyua, Francis Wafula, Habiba Mohamed, Lucy Mburu, Collins Kiprono, Victor Miseda, Christine Okoth, Carolyne Mage, Jacinta Rwamba, Kanyenje Gakombe, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana and Benard Ondeng Otieno Choi.
Wamae asks Ruto for a job
A few days after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Ruto the winner of the presidential election, Wamae positioned herself in the Kenya Kwanza path.
She revealed that she unsuccessfully applied for a state job in 2018, but that had never killed her ambitions of serving the people of Kenya.
As much as Wamae maintained that she had no plans of leaving the Roots party, she added that she was open to serving if an opportunity arose in the Kenya Kwanza government.
Following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Ruto's victory in the 2022 General Election, Wamae tweeted a congratulatory note for the head of state.
In her post, Wamae also made her request known, adding that she was hoping for a job from the head of state.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
