Will he transform Treasury? Ukur Yattani’s Rich Experience Gets Kenyans Talking

Image result for Ukur Yattani
Ukur Yattani with President Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO/COURTESY

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday left Kenyans talking after appointing little known Labour CS Ukur Yattani as acting Treasury CS.

Well, these are the questions Kenyans are now asking, making a reference to Ukur Yattani’s biography.

Some Kenyans believe that Yattani’s international exposure may transform the Treasury but its a matter of time.

Born on 12th March 1967, Yatani has deep political connections. He was nominated the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in President Kenyatta’s second term cabinet.

He served as the First Governor of Marsabit County from 2013 to 2017. He was also the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna from 2009 to 2012 and served as the Member of Parliament for North Horr Constituency in 2006.

In 2002, Yatani became a District Officer for the Government of Kenya. He quickly rose through the ranks from District Officer Cadet to a Senior District Officer and then promoted to a District Commissioner in July 2002.

In this position, he successfully coordinated state business, managed government resources, maintained law and order, directed disaster relief operations, and implemented long term strategic plans that improved government services and the lives of local residents.

He was then called home by his constituents and elected as the Member of Parliament for North Horr constituency in 2006.

During this time the Marsabit North District was created and M.P. Yatani spearheaded the formation of several administrative units across the constituency, leading to more independence and general improvement of service delivery.

Yatani was then appointed as the Assistant Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology. In this position he offered policy direction to the ministry, represented the government in local and international talks and negotiations, and assisted the Minister in performing of all ministerial and government functions.

In 2009, Yatani began a multi-year mission to advance the interests of Kenya on the international stage. He was named Ambassador to Austria in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vienna.

As the Ambassador to Austria, with accreditation to Hungary and Slovakia, he provided support and consular services to Kenyans living abroad and promoted trade and economic cooperation with a variety of European nations and thereby contributed to the realization of Kenya’s Vision 2030.

Amb. Yatani also served as the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the International Atomic Agency(IAEA), which works to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy around the world.

Among the many accomplishments of the IAEA during Yatani’s tenure, was the strategic use of strength and diplomacy to deescalate and safeguard Iran’s nuclear capacity.


In addition to this, Amb. Yatani held senior leadership positions at various diplomatic and international agencies at the United Nations and also chaired the African Group of Ambassadors.

With all these experience, do you thin Ukur Yattani will transform the National Treasury?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *