From Health CS to cabbage seller: Nakhumicha opens up on life after cabinet exit

Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has revealed that she now sells cabbages after her abrupt removal from the Cabinet, a consequence of the widespread Gen Z protests that rocked the country in June 2024.

Speaking at a memorial service for former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati in Sabata village, Kiminini Constituency, Trans Nzoia County, on Friday, March 7, 2025, Nakhumicha opened her speech by reflecting on her deep connection with the late electoral boss.

Special bond with Chebukati

Nakhumicha noted that many assumed Chebukati was her biological father due to their close relationship.

“Chairman aliyelala mbele yetu, wale social media wanajua kwamba yeye ni baba yangu. I wish angekua baba yangu, most likely my English would be better than what it is. Mimi nilimjua chairman in 2013. Nyumba yangu ya kwanza kununua kule Nairobi wale walisign agreement ni Cootow & Associates ndipo wakati nilimjua chairman. Tuliongea na akanichukua pia kama mtoto wake,” she said.

The former Health CS further recalled how she learnt of Chebukati’s illness from National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

“Muda ukapita mingi bila sisi tena kuwai kuonana mbaka wakati nlipochaguliwa kuwa Waziri kupitia kwa Speaker wetu ndo tena wakasema tena mimi ni mtoto wake na tena tukaongea kwa simu akaweza kunipa nguvu akasema hivyo ndivo Maisha iko. So tangu siku hio nkakubali kuwa yeye ni baba yangu,” she said.

Adding that; “Wakati chairman alikua mgonjwa akishamaliza kazi yake, akapatia viongozi viti – kwanzia kwa raisi mbaka kwa MCA – ndipo akaanza kugonjeka. Nakumbuka ilikua mwezi wa nne. Nami nilikua kwenye ofisi nimeketi sikujua kuwa alikua kwenye hali mbaya. Nikapata simu kutoka kwa Speaker ya kwamba chairman hayuko vizuri anahitaji kusaidiwa. Tukaanza kupanga atasaidiwa vipi.”

Ruto’s order

Nakhumicha also recalled the moment when President William Ruto personally called her and directed her to oversee Chebukati’s treatment.

“Siku moja jioni wakati nko ofisi nimeketi nikapata simu ya rais mheshimiwa Ruto akaniambia ‘Nakhumicha where are you?’. Nkamwambia ‘your excellency I am in the office’. Akaniuliza ‘what kind of a daughter are you?. Your father is sick, he’s in hospital, you are the minister for health and you say you are in office?. Get out of your office.’ Nilitoka ofisi nikabeba mkoba wangu nikatafuta namna na ndipo nkaenda hospitali kupatana na mama Mary na nadhani Jonathan pia alikua. Hapo ndo tukaanza kufanya mpangilio jinsi chairman ataweza kupata matibabu.Tulifanya kazi kwa ukaribu sana na mama tukahakikisha yakwamba chairman anaenda matibabu yake kule Ujerumani kufanyiwa hio surgery ambayo alihitaji,” she narrated.

Cabinet exit

Reflecting on her dismissal from the Cabinet, Nakhumicha revealed that she, like the rest of the country, learned of her fate through a televised announcement.

“Majen Z, Gen Z wanaanguka na watu wakaanguka na mimi. Bishop amehubiri hapa akasema siku za Moi ilikua matangazo wa redio. Hii nayo yetu hata haikua ya redio, ilikua kwa TV unangojea. Nikaskia cabinet yote nyumbani. Nikaona watu wamefurahi kila mahali wamefurahi wamefurahi,” she said.

Nakhumicha revealed that she has turned to cabbage farming and is struggling to make ends meet.

She admitted that even making a monetary contribution to Chebukati’s widow was a challenge for her.

“Tangu siku hio nimetazamia Mungu. Ata sasa ninafanya ukulima. Tangu sasa hio wakati sina kazi. Mimi nauza cabbages. Napanda cabbages kule Cherang’any. Ata sadaka ya matanga imekua ngumu ngumu hivi hivi. Lakini nkajaribu niende tukaketi na mama masaa sita na nikatoa sadaka yangu ya cabbages,” she said.

President William Ruto dismissed nearly his entire Cabinet on July 11, 2024, a move aimed at forming a broad-based government following deadly anti-government protests.

In a notable exception, Foreign Affairs CS and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was the only member of Ruto’s original Cabinet spared from the sweeping dismissals.

Nine former CSs were reinstated, while 12 others were left out as Ruto introduced his new lineup.

Nakhumisha was among those who were left in the cold after Ruto dismissed his Cabinet. She was replaced by Deborah Mlongo Barasa who holds the Health docket.