Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi (born 1960) is a veteran Kenyan politician and land economist currently serving as the Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) of Kenya. Widely regarded as a “safe pair of hands” and a pragmatic diplomat, Mudavadi is the third most senior official in the executive arm of the government, following the President and Deputy President.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi |
| Born | September 21, 1960, Sabatia, Vihiga County |
| Current Role | Prime Cabinet Secretary (since Oct 2022) |
| Concurrent Role | Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs (since Oct 2023) |
| Acting Role | Acting Cabinet Secretary for Interior (since Nov 2024) |
| Political Party | Amani National Congress (ANC) (Founder; currently merging with UDA) |
| Ethnicity | Luhya (Maragoli dialect) |
| Faith | Quaker (does not swear oaths of office) |
Political Journey and Early Rise
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Youngest Minister: Mudavadi entered politics in 1989 following the death of his father, Moses Mudavadi. At age 28, he was elected unopposed as MP for Sabatia and appointed Minister for Supplies and Marketing, making him the youngest minister in Kenyan history.
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Economic Reformer: As Finance Minister in the early 1990s, he is credited with stopping the Goldenberg scandal looting and liberalizing the Kenyan economy. He abolished price controls, scrapped import licenses, and floated the shilling.
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Shortest VP Term: In 2002, he served as Kenya’s 7th Vice President under Daniel arap Moi for only three months—the shortest tenure in history—as a strategic but ultimately unsuccessful move to bolster Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential bid.
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Deputy Prime Minister: Following the 2007/08 post-election violence, he served as Deputy Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition government, where he was a key architect of the devolution system established by the 2010 Constitution.
Recent Political Standing and 2025 Status
As of December 2025, Mudavadi has cemented his position as President William Ruto’s most trusted ally and a stabilizing force in the administration.
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Foreign Policy Leader: Since taking over the Foreign Affairs docket in 2023, he has led Kenya’s “Transformational Diplomacy,” strengthening ties with China and navigating regional security challenges.
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2027 Referendum Proposal: In late December 2025, Mudavadi ignited a national debate by proposing that the 2027 General Election be held alongside a constitutional referendum. He argues this would finally resolve long-standing governance issues like the “two-thirds gender rule” and the formal establishment of the Prime Minister’s post.
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Party Merger: He is currently overseeing the integration of his ANC party into Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a move seen as consolidating the Western Kenya vote block ahead of 2027.
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Interior Portfolio: Following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua and the elevation of Kithure Kindiki to Deputy President in late 2024, Mudavadi took on the massive responsibility of the Interior Ministry in an acting capacity.
Controversies
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Land Disputes: In May 2025, a magistrate’s court in Vihiga ruled against him in a land dispute involving a private company, though Mudavadi has appealed the decision to a higher court.
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Historical Allegations: Like many veteran politicians, he was mentioned in various past reports regarding economic crimes (such as the cemetery land fraud), though he was eventually cleared of culpability by the courts in 2020.