Hon. Roselinda Soipan Tuya, EGH
Cabinet Secretary
Hon. Soipan Tuya is the Cabinet Secretary for Defence of the Republic of Kenya, having been sworn into office by H.E. President Dr. William Ruto on 8th August 2024. Prior to this role, Hon. Tuya served as the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, where she made significant contributions to Kenya’s environmental and climate action agenda.
In her current role at the Ministry of Defence, Hon. Tuya is responsible for the formulation and implementation of Defence policies. She provides strategic direction to ensure the Ministry effectively operationalizes its mandate. This includes formulating, presenting, and articulating Cabinet memoranda, sessional papers, and other policy issues emanating from the Ministry. As the principal advisor to the President on defence matters, she serves as the key link between the Ministry and both the National Assembly and the Senate, providing regular reports and responses on issues of national security and defence.
In addition to her advisory role, Hon. Tuya chairs the Defence Council, the highest organ responsible for managing defence affairs in Kenya. Her leadership is instrumental in ensuring that the Ministry of Defence adheres to its commitment to national security, operational efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.
During her tenure as Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Hon. Tuya implemented impactful reforms and achieved significant milestones. She prioritized the restoration of Kenya’s degraded landscapes and ecosystems through the 10-year National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy, which serves as the foundation for the 15 Billion National Tree Growing Programme. This ambitious initiative aims to raise Kenya’s tree cover to 30% by 2032, positioning the country as a leader in environmental conservation.
Hon. Tuya is also credited with strengthening Kenya’s credentials in climate action, notably through the successful co-hosting of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit with the African Union in September 2023. This event culminated in the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call-to-Action, solidifying Kenya’s leadership in regional and global climate initiatives.
Furthermore, Hon. Tuya spearheaded policy reforms to ensure sustainable climate action and to transition Kenya from a linear waste management model to a circular economy. Her efforts have opened up value chains within the waste management sector, contributing to wealth and employment creation in line with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
A distinguished lawyer, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, and politician, Hon. Tuya holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi, a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Sustainable International Development from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. Over her 18-year legal career, she has dedicated herself to community service, offering free legal representation to vulnerable populations, including women and children, particularly among pastoralist communities in Kenya.
As a politician, Hon. Tuya was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Narok County in 2012 and was reelected in 2017, serving successfully as a two-term MP. She also served in the Senate of Kenya as a special-interest nominee of the ruling United Democratic Alliance party before her appointment to the Cabinet in November 2022.
During her 10-year tenure as MP for Narok County, Hon. Tuya focused on the economic and social empowerment of affirmative action groups, leaving a strong legacy of success. In Parliament, she spearheaded legislative reforms and held several senior leadership roles, including serving as the first Chairperson of Committees in the National Assembly’s Speaker’s Panel, where she presided over National Assembly sittings.
With a proven track record of leadership, legal expertise, and a deep commitment to environmental and social causes, Hon. Soipan Tuya is uniquely positioned to serve the people of Kenya as Cabinet Secretary for Defence. Her extensive experience in policy formulation, strategic direction, and community service equips her with the skills necessary to navigate the complex challenges of national defence. Hon. Tuya’s dedication to public service, combined with her legal acumen and passion for sustainable development, ensures that she will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity and excellence in safeguarding Kenya’s sovereignty and advancing the well-being of its citizens.