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The Nairobian

Ruto's new Gender nominee- Hannah Cheptumo

Explainers

By Ronald Kipruto | Mar 27, 2025

**Hanna Cheptumo, new Gender CS nominee.** [File, Standard]

Hanna Wendot Cheptumo has been nominated as the new Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage.

A lawyer and mother of three, Hanna is the widow of the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo.

Born in Baringo County, she played a pivotal role in managing the family’s legal practice alongside her late husband, a respected legal expert and leader.

Before marrying the late Senator, Hanna worked at a government office in Nyayo House.

Her appointment comes weeks after President William Ruto pledged to honor the legacy of her late husband, continuing his work by offering Hanna a position in his cabinet.

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On Tuesday, March 26, during a cabinet reshuffle, President Ruto appointed Hanna Cheptumo to the Gender CS position—a move that was seen as a reward for the people of Baringo.

While much of her public journey is not widely known, Hanna's path to law was heavily influenced by her late husband.

She recalls, “As I worked as a cooperative officer, William encouraged me to study law. He told me, ‘Anne, you need to do law because I am running a business, and in the event I am not around, the business will not survive.’”

In addition to her legal background, Hanna is an advocate for women’s rights, legal empowerment, and social justice.

She awaits vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, after which, if approved, she will become the second Gender CS in Ruto’s administration, succeeding Aisha Jumwa.