Residents of Narok County have celebrated the nomination of Rosalinda Soipan Tuya as the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment and Forestry.
The residents lauded President William Ruto for fronting one of their own saying the county has not had a cabinet secretary since the onset of devolution.
Narok Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Mpatiany observed that the appointment was a big plus to the Maa community and especially the women who traditionally are regarded as children.
“Ms Tuya is one of our own. She is a typical Maasai woman who has grown up in the Maa culture and beat all odds to become a renowned advocate before she joined politics. We are really proud of her,” he said.
Mpatiany asked the community to embrace the girl child education as women too are capable of holding big positions just like the men.
“Ms Tuya is a good example that women too can become professionals and hold big positions in society. I believe she will serve as an example to the Maa community in Kajiado, Laikipia, Samburu, Baringo and Narok,” he said.
Monica Silantoi, a Maendeleo ya Wanawake official in Narok County, praised President Ruto for choosing Ms.Tuya to lead the environment and forestry docket saying this was a great honour to the people of Narok County who have never had a woman in the cabinet since independence.
Ms Silantoi cerebrated Ms Tuya saying she is a role model to many girls and young women in the society who now have hopes that they too can serve in high offices.
“We have all the reasons to celebrate that one of our own was named in the Cabinet Secretary’s list. We believe that she is capable of delivering services to Kenyans in the docket she represents,” said Ms. Silantoi.
Nancy Mbugua, a trader in Narok County, said Ms Tuya helped many vulnerable children and families during her two term tenure as the county women representative exuding confidence that she would deliver in her new docket.
“God has rewarded Ms Tuya for the good work she did for the people of Narok when she served as our women’s representative. She sponsored many vulnerable children, supported women and persons living with disability groups. She really deserved that position,” said Ms Mbugua.
Ms Tuya becomes the first Maa woman to be named in cabinet since independence.
She was first elected in parliament in the year 2013 as the first county women representative on an URP ticket. She was later re-elected in 2017 on a Jubilee party ticket.
After the recently concluded elections, Ms Tuya was nominated by the UDA party in Senate a position she holds to date.
Ms Tuya replaces immediate former Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko, who hails from Kajiado County.
By Ann Salaton
