Water CS Mugaa says Mudavadi influenced his appointment to cabinet
By Arnold Ngure, August 15, 2025Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Eric Mugaa, has revealed that Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi influenced his appointment to the cabinet in 2024.
Speaking during an empowerment drive in Malava constituency on Friday, August 15, 2025, Mugaa indicated that he had immense respect for Mudavadi, as both of both them entered public service at a relatively young age.
“I want to say here that Mudavadi was one of the mentors who ensured I was appointed to the cabinet to represent the youthful population,” Mugaa said.
Nuggets of wisdom
Following his appointment in 2024, after President William Ruto dissolved his cabinet after months of protests by the Gen Zs, Mugaa says he was summoned by Mudavadi, who shared nuggets of wisdom with him.
“When I was appointed to the cabinet as a young person, Mudavadi summoned me and told me that he had also been appointed as a minister as a young man,” Mugaa said.
He equally disclosed that Mudavadi urged him to put members of the public first in his service at the cabinet.
“Mudavadi advised me to always prioritise the agenda for the public before any other consideration. He also told me that whenever you are working, many people will not recognize what you are doing,” Mugaa stated.
“He also told me that I would be criticized, ridiculed, and disliked because they may not understand what you are doing. However, you have to plan whatever you want to deliver and follow through with it.”
Young politicians
33-year-old Mugaa was appointed to the cabinet after serving as the assistant project engineer at Kilifi Mariakani Water and Sewerage Company Limited (KIMAWASCO).
Similarly, Mudavadi entered politics at the age of 28, in 1989, following the death of his father, Moses Mudamba Mudavadi. He was elected unopposed as the Member of Parliament for Sabatia Constituency.
Mudavadi served in various ministerial positions before being briefly appointed as the Vice President in 2002. After co-founding the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, he was appointed Kenya’s first Prime Cabinet Secretary by President William Ruto, a role created by executive order to assist the President and Deputy President in key government functions.