Ukur Yattani confirmed Finance minister after months in acting role

President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday morning confirmed Ukur Yattani as Kenya’s National Treasury Cabinet Secretary after months of acting following the exit of Henry Rotich – who had held the position since 2013 when the incumbent administration ascended to power.

In July last year, the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered the arrest of Henry Rotich and his PS Kamau Thugge over Kimwarer and Arror dams scandal.

Together with others, Rotich and Thugge are facing charges of conspiracy to defraud, willful failure to comply with applicable procedures, abuse of office, committing an offence of financial misconduct, fraudulent acquisition of public property among other charges.

During his acting role Treasury CS, Yattani introduced budget cuts in various arms of the national and county government which also saw him in September last year proposed to reduce the number of individuals accompanying cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries abroad. Even those who travel will be required to provide a befitting reason for that.

Also affected is the airtime allowance, which he sliced by 30 per cent. According to the memo, internet calls could be the best bet in cutting down such costs.

There was also a reduction in the purchase of furniture by 75 per cent. The memo was categorical that government officers on commuter allowance found to be using government transport outside working hours will be charged.

Mr Yattani is a former Governor of Marsabit County, MP of North Horr. He also served as Kenya’s Permanent Representative at United Nations, Vienna.

Born in 1967, Yatani received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from Egerton University in 1991. In 2005, he joined the New York University in the UK from where he obtained a Master of Public Administration and Public Policy.

Other past ministers in Kenya’s Finance docket include Amos Kimunya, Uhuru Kenyatta, John Michuki, Njeru Githae, Francis Masakhalia, David Mwiraria, Christopher Obure, Chris Okemo, Simeon Nyachae, Musalia Mudavadi, George Saitoti, Arthur Magugu, Mwai Kibaki and James Gichuru.