Questions as Kuria resigns as Ruto’s Economic Advisor

By Newsflash Writer

Former Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Moses Kuria has resigned from his latest role as Senior Advisor in President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors, sparking speculation about his next political move—particularly in the restive Mt Kenya region.

In a statement released on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Kuria confirmed that he had formally met with President Ruto to communicate his decision to leave government. He said the Head of State had “graciously accepted” his resignation.

“This evening I have met my boss and my friend President William Ruto. The President has graciously accepted my decision to resign from government,” Kuria stated.

He expressed gratitude for the various roles he had served in Ruto’s administration, including a nearly year-long stint as Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, followed by nine months overseeing Public Service, Delivery and Performance Management, and most recently, ten months as a top economic advisor at State House.

“I thank President Ruto for having given me an opportunity to serve… As I move on to pursue personal interests, I am proud of the work the President and I did to implement the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which I designed together with the President as our 2022 electoral platform. Long Live Kenya,” Kuria declared.

Political mission?

While Kuria framed his resignation as a personal decision to move on from government, sources familiar with the matter suggest a deeper political agenda may be at play.

Insiders say Kuria’s exit was well thought-out and could signal a return to frontline politics, specifically targeting the growing influence of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the Mt Kenya region.

The two leaders have had a rocky political relationship, with Kuria often taking veiled and open jabs at Gachagua’s style of politics.

Kuria has previously labelled the Deputy President as “tribal,” accusing him of pushing a narrow regional agenda that risks isolating Mt Kenya from national politics.

The rift between the two has become increasingly apparent in recent months, especially as Mt Kenya politics appear to be realigning ahead of 2027.

Gachagua, on the other hand, has not hidden his suspicions about Kuria’s loyalties and has consistently alleged that Kuria’s political vehicle—Chama Cha Kazi (CCK)—is a State House project aimed at undermining his popularity in the vote-rich region.

He has claimed that the party is being used to divide the region’s political unity and to ultimately neutralise his growing clout as the perceived political kingpin of Mt Kenya.

Analysts believe he could be positioning himself as a counterweight to Gachagua ahead of the 2027 elections, either by reviving CCK or forging new alliances with other discontented Mt Kenya leaders.

While Kuria has remained tight-lipped about his next political destination, his resignation has undoubtedly stirred the waters, setting the stage for a fresh power contest in Central Kenya