Geoffrey Ruku: Profile of the new Public Service CS

By Newsflash Correspondent

Geoffrey Ruku is a Kenyan politician currently serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mbeere North Constituency in Embu County.

He was elected in the August 2022 General Election under the Democratic Party of Kenya (DP), making him the party’s sole representative in the National Assembly.

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Ruku was nominated by President William Ruto to take over as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, replacing Justin Muturi.

Early life and education

Ruku’s leadership journey began in his formative years, having served as a school captain both in primary school and later at Siakago Boys High School. His towering height—standing at approximately 6.5 feet—has earned him the reputation of being one of Mt. Kenya’s tallest politicians.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), which he completed in 2002. Ruku later pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy and International Relations at the University of Nairobi (UoN), followed by a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from the same institution. Currently, he is working towards a Ph.D. at the Wangari Maathai Institute of Peace Studies at UoN.

Career background

Beyond politics, Ruku has built a diverse professional portfolio, particularly in climate advocacy and public service.

Founder, Carbon Manna Africa: An NGO dedicated to democratizing carbon offset programs at the household level in Kenya.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder, Climate Pal (2011 – Present): A climate-focused organization promoting sustainable environmental solutions.
Mashav Coordinator, Embassy of Israel (2006 – 2009): Responsible for coordinating development and climate-related initiatives.
Trustee, Water Services Trust Fund (2015 – 2017): Oversaw fund management, asset control, and policy regulation.
Contractor, Fair Climate Southern Africa (2013 – 2015): Worked on climate resilience projects across the region.

Political journey

Ruku’s path to elective politics has been marked by perseverance. He contested twice for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat in 2013 and 2017 but lost both times to Muriuki Njagagua.

In 2017, he also vied for the Embu Senate seat under the Jubilee Party, but lost to Njeru Ndwiga. Undeterred, he made a successful comeback in 2022, clinching the Mbeere North MP seat, which paved the way for his recent nomination as Public Service Cabinet Secretary.

If approved by Parliament, Ruku will now step into a pivotal role in President William Ruto’s administration, overseeing human capital development and special programs in the public sector.