Roselinda Soipan Tuya, born in Narok County, hails from a family deeply entrenched in public service. Her father, Samson Ole Tuya, served as a two-term MP for Narok South, while her mother was a councillor in the now-defunct Narok County Council. This legacy of leadership and dedication to community welfare set the stage for Soipan’s own distinguished career.
Soipan’s educational journey began at Ole Ntutu Arid Zone Primary School, where she excelled, emerging as the top girl in her Kenya Certificate for Primary Education (KCPE) exams in 1993. She proceeded to the prestigious Kenya High School, completing her secondary education in 1998. Her academic prowess saw her pursue a law degree at the University of Nairobi, followed by a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law. Eager to broaden her expertise, Soipan later earned a Master’s Degree in Sustainable International Development from the University of Washington, Seattle.
Boasting over 18 years of legal experience, Soipan began her career as a legal officer at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs from 2006 to 2008. She then joined Kituo Cha Sheria, an NGO focused on providing legal aid to the underprivileged, where she served in various capacities, including acting Executive Director, Education Coordinator, and Legal Aid officer. Before venturing into politics, she worked as a land law and gender advisor at USAID, showcasing her commitment to social justice and equality.
In 2012, Soipan transitioned into elective politics, winning the Narok Woman Representative seat in 2013, a position she held until 2022. Her tenure was marked by her role as the First Chairperson of the Speaker’s Panel in the 12th Parliament. In a historic milestone, she became the first Maasai woman to be appointed as a Cabinet Secretary, taking on the portfolio for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry in October 2022.
As Cabinet Secretary, Soipan spearheaded numerous initiatives and achieved significant milestones:
- Amendment of the Climate Change Act, 2016: Oversaw amendments facilitating carbon market management and government advisories on carbon regulations.
- Major Climate Conferences: Played a key role in organizing the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) and Africa Climate Week (ACW), leading to the Nairobi African Leaders Declaration on Climate Change, known as The Nairobi Declaration.
- International Cooperation: Secured approximately USD 26 billion for African climate projects and facilitated Kenya’s participation in various climate-related deals.
- Investment Grants Disbursement: Fast-tracked the approval and disbursement of Sh7.3 billion to 45 counties under the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLOCCA) Program.
- Climate Change Units: Established these units in all 47 counties.
- Tree Cover Initiative: Spearheaded the initiative to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and lobbied for the declaration of November 13 as National Tree Planting Day.
- Strategic Plan Launch: Unveiled the Ministry’s Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2027, focusing on governance, conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, agro-forestry, and resource mobilization.
- Waste Management Initiatives: Planned the establishment of five pilot Material Recovery Facilities in various counties, though progress was hindered by financial constraints.
Soipan’s exemplary service has earned her prestigious awards, including the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) in 2018 and the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) in 2023. Her dedication to public service and her impactful contributions continue to garner recognition. On July 23, 2024, President William Ruto nominated Soipan for the position of Defence Cabinet Secretary.
