One of the surprise nominations that happened was that of Susan Nakhumicha as health cabinet secretary who is now set to be taking over from Mutahi Kagwe pending vetting by the legislature.

Hers is a new name in the limelight, unlike other nominees who are veteran politicians.

She is a strategic supply chain professional with more than fifteen years of international experience.

She has worked in both the supply chains and healthcare industry.

Susan Nakumicha has a diploma in pharmacy from Kenya Medical Training College and another diploma in Healthcare Management from Kenya Institute of Management.

Susan Nakumicha enrolled in Jomo Kenyatta University for her degree in 2007  and then started her masters in 2014 at the same university.

She also has a Ph.D. in Business Management, Operations Management, Supply chain Research, Procurement, and Logistics.

She launched her career at KEMSA where she worked as an intern. She has worked with non-governmental institutions and corporates in the health sector.

Before her nomination to the cabinet post Susan Nakhumicha was the head of supply for the University of California San Francisco(UCSF)Global Programmer for Research and Training.

She has also worked as a procurement and logistics manager at Nairobi Women’s hospital.

Susan Nakhumicha has also worked as a pharmacy in charge in AAR Kisumu.

Susan Nakhumicha unsuccessfully vied for Trans Nzoia women representative on a Ford Kenya ticket.

She stated that her motivation to run for the elective seat was the fact that the people of Trans Nzoia had not derived value from the Women representative position in previous governments. Her clarion call throughout the campaign period was ‘strong women, safe societies.’

She was floored by UDA’s Lilian Siyoi.

The health docket in Kenya has previously been marred with graft scandals, doctors strikes and for the last two years, the global coronavirus pandemic.

Judging from her rich portfolio, Susan Nakhumicha could be up to the task.