Profiles ยท updated 3 October 2026
Who's who in Kenyan politics
Short biographies of the people shaping Kenyan politics: background, education, career, party and where they stand. Every fact is linked to a source.
In government
- William RutoPresident since 2022. Deputy President 2013 to 2022. Party: UDA.
- Kithure KindikiDeputy President since 1 November 2024. Interior CS 2022 to 2024. Tharaka-Nithi Senator 2013 to 2022. UDA.
- Musalia MudavadiPrime Cabinet Secretary since 2022 and Foreign Affairs CS since 2023. Former Vice President. ANC leader.
- Kipchumba MurkomenInterior CS since December 2024. Former Transport CS and Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator. UDA.
- Aden DualeHealth CS since March 2025. Former Defence and Environment CS. Former National Assembly Majority Leader. UDA.
- John MbadiTreasury CS since August 2024. Former Suba MP and ODM national chairman.
- Hassan JohoMining and Blue Economy CS since 2024. Mombasa Governor 2013 to 2022. ODM deputy party leader.
- Wycliffe OparanyaCooperatives and MSMEs CS since 2024. Kakamega Governor 2013 to 2022. ODM deputy party leader.
- Opiyo WandayiEnergy and Petroleum CS since 2024. Ugunja MP 2013 to 2024. Former National Assembly Minority Leader. ODM.
Opposition and 2027 challengers
- Rigathi GachaguaDeputy President 2022 to Oct 2024 (impeached). Former Mathira MP. Leader of DCP.
- Kalonzo MusyokaVice President 2008 to 2013. Former minister. Wiper leader. United Opposition principal.
- Fred Matiang'iEducation CS 2015 to 2018. Interior CS 2018 to 2022. Jubilee leader.
- Martha KaruaJustice Minister 2005 to 2009 (and earlier Water Minister). Former Gichugu MP. Leader of PLP.
- David MaragaChief Justice 2016 to 2021. United Green Movement (UGM) presidential candidate for 2027.
- Okiya OmtatahBusia Senator since 2022. Public-interest litigant. Leader of the National Reconstruction Alliance. Weighing a 2027 presidential run.
- Boniface MwangiPhotojournalist and human rights activist. 2027 presidential aspirant.
- Edwin SifunaNairobi Senator since 2022. Removed as ODM Secretary-General. Linda Mwananchi presidential candidate.
- Ndindi NyoroKiharu MP. Former Budget Committee chair. Leader of the People's Party since Aug 2026.
- Peter SalasyaMumias East MP since 2022. 2027 presidential aspirant.
- Millicent OmangaFormer nominated senator. Joined DCP in March 2026. Nairobi Woman Rep aspirant.
- Justin MuturiSpeaker of the National Assembly 2013 to 2022. Attorney General 2022 to 2024. Public Service CS until March 2025. Democratic Party leader.
- Eugene WamalwaDAP-K leader. Defence CS 2021 to 2022. Former Devolution and Water CS. Saboti MP 2007 to 2013.
- George NatembeyaTrans-Nzoia Governor since 2022. Former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner. Leads the Tawe movement.
- Cleophas MalalaDCP deputy party leader. Kakamega Senator 2017 to 2022. UDA Secretary-General 2023 to 2024.
Parliament, counties and parties
- Moses Wetang'ulaSpeaker of the National Assembly since 2022. Bungoma Senator 2013 to 2022. FORD-Kenya leader.
- Amason KingiSpeaker of the Senate since 2022. Kilifi Governor 2013 to 2022. Founder of the Pamoja African Alliance.
- Kimani Ichung'wahNational Assembly Majority Leader since 2022. Kikuyu MP since 2013. UDA.
- Junet MohamedNational Assembly Minority Leader since 2024. Suna East MP since 2013. ODM.
- Oburu OgingaODM party leader since October 2025. Siaya Senator since 2022. Former Bondo MP.
- Babu OwinoEmbakasi East MP since 2017. Nairobi governor aspirant.
- Millie OdhiamboSuba North MP. National Assembly Minority Chief Whip. ODM.
- Karen NyamuNominated Senator (UDA) since 2022.
- Gladys WangaHoma Bay Governor since 2022. Part of the ratified ODM leadership team.
- Anne WaiguruKirinyaga Governor since 2017. Former Devolution CS.
- Johnson SakajaNairobi Governor since 2022. Nairobi Senator 2017 to 2022. UDA.
Earlier leaders
- Uhuru KenyattaDeputy Prime Minister 2008 to 2013. President 2013 to 2022. Jubilee. Retired; his record in office is complete.
- Raila OdingaEnergy Minister 2001 to 2002. Roads Minister 2003 to 2005. Prime Minister 2008 to 2013. ODM. Died October 2025.
- Mwai KibakiFinance Minister 1969 to 1982. Vice President 1978 to 1988. President 2002 to 2013. Died 2022.
- Daniel arap MoiVice President 1967 to 1978. President 1978 to 2002. KANU. Died 2020.
- Jomo KenyattaPrime Minister 1963. President 1964 to 1978. KANU. Died 1978.
- Jaramogi Oginga OdingaVice President 1964 to 1966. Founded KPU and later co-founded FORD. Died 1994.
- Tom MboyaTrade unionist. Justice Minister 1963 to 1964. Economic Planning Minister 1964 to 1969. KANU Secretary-General. Assassinated 1969.
- George SaitotiFinance Minister 1983 to 1993. Vice President 1989 to 1997 and 1999 to 2002. Internal Security Minister 2008 to 2012. Died 2012.
- Ronald NgalaKADU leader 1960 to 1964. Leader of Government Business before independence. Later KANU minister. Died 1972.
- Kenneth MatibaMinister under Moi until 1988. FORD-Asili leader. 1992 presidential runner-up. Died 2018.
- Bildad KaggiaOne of the Kapenguria Six. MP and Assistant Minister 1963 to 1964. KPU Vice-President. Died 2005.
- J.M. KariukiNyandarua North MP and Assistant Minister. Former Mau Mau detainee. Murdered 1975.
- Pio Gama PintoJournalist and KANU MP. Assassinated 1965.
- Wangari MaathaiFounder of the Green Belt Movement. Tetu MP and Assistant Environment Minister 2003 to 2005. Nobel Peace laureate. Died 2011.