Tuya: No military background, but strong team player for Defence ministry leadership

Cabinet Secretary for Defence nominee Soipan Tuya said she will use her leadership skills to run the ministry.

Despite not having a military background, Tuya believes she is up to the task.

"I have no military background but I'm a team player by design and practice," she said while appearing before the Appointments Committee of the National Assembly.

"I am also very consultative in my leadership philosophy and these are skill sets that I will have to employ heavily in terms of the need to understand the operational and administrative role of the uniformed side of the Ministry," Tuya added.

In terms of her suitability, Tuya said her experience in both the public and private sectors has shaped her for the Defence CS position.

"The array of service that I have had occasioned to be in both in the public sector, private sector and in the civil service as a CS posture me for this position as Cabinet nominee for Defence," she told the MPs.

Tuya previously served as the CS for Environment until last month when President William Ruto dismissed his cabinet save for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

In her political life, Tuya served two terms at the National Assembly when she was elected as a Woman Representative for Narok County.

From 2013-2022.

Tuya did not seek a third term during the August 2022 general elections but got nominated at the Senate shortly before President Ruto nominated her to his cabinet.

Concerning her educational background, Tuya is a lawyer by profession.

"I am a lawyer by training, having done my Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi. I have also acquired a diploma in law through the advocates training program at the Kenya School of Law," she told the MPs.

The nominee also has a Master of Law in sustainable international development from the University of Washington in Seattle