The Office of a Chief Administrative Secretary in Kenyan huge-budget ministries is rarely recognized or even talked about in Kenya; More like a ‘meaningless’ docket. – By Prudence Wanza
However, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi the CAS in the Ministry of Health is the breath of fresh air that is changing the narrative.
In the face of the Coronavirus pandemic Mercy has brought out leadership and charisma despite having barely three months since she was appointed as the Health CAS by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
For instance, Mercy helps Health CS Mutahi Kagwe to do the press daily briefings an opportunity that we have not seen any other CAS take in Kenya.
She has continuously maintained a bold presence, supporting CS Kagwe in providing Kenyans with information on matters of Covid-19.
Listening to Dr Mercy, she speaks from a professional point of view thanks to her experience and education background in the field of medicine.
She holds a Masters’ degree in Health economics and policy from the University of Adelaide in Australia. Previously, she has worked as the head of Health financing and health economics at the ministry of health.
Dr Mercy is also a joint secretary in the task force implementing the Universal Health Coverage, one of Uhuru’s key pillars of the big four agenda.
Although not known to many, her leadership skills have been recognized outside Kenya. She is a member of the African Women in Leadership Network (AWLN) and a winner of the Australian Leadership Award for demonstrating leadership skills and the potential to influence development outcomes in Kenya.
Well, it goes without question that Dr. Mercy is a full package and perhaps will go down in history the first woman to give the ‘redundant’ Office of the Chief Administrative Secretary a MEANING.
