Ministries Leadership

A young woman who comes from a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural background born to a small hunter-gatherer indigenous community of mukogodo forest in Laikipia North called Yiaku in the late 80s. She is hardworking, very passionate and competent in her work and a good team player. Additionally, she is a creative and critical thinker who strongly believes that the solutions to a better community and country lie within us and just need a little activation and attention.

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John Lekakeny Ololtuaa was born in Kilgoris District, Trans-mara West Sub County in Narok County. He attended God-Ngoche Primary school and registered an outstanding performance in the examinations. He was admitted to Sosio Secondary school and later joined Narok High School where he sat for his KACE certificate. He later attained his Bachelor of Education (Arts) Degree and a Masters Degree in Education Administration both from Kenyatta University.

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Born in Wajir County, in the Republic of Kenya, MS. Ummi Bashir is a strategic leader and cultural ambassador passionate about preserving, promoting, and celebrating our rich cultural heritage, #MakingKultureKoolAgain.

She believes our cultural heritage is a source of pride and unity for our country. It is what sets us apart and makes us who we are. As such, State Department of Culture works together to preserve and promote our rich cultural heritage for future generations.

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Hon. Peninah Malonza, OGW Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Tourism,Wildlife & Cultural Heritage

Ms. Peninah Malonza, OGW, was born in 1974 in Kitui South Subcounty, Kitui County in South Eastern Kenya.
Peninah desires to touch the lives of ordinary Kenyans by uplifting their livelihoods. She is passionate about teamwork, networking and building strong relationships with key stakeholders in an effort to positively impact people’s lives.
Peninah served as the Deputy Governor of Kitui County, 2013-2017 where as a member of the County Executive Management Team, she managed and coordinated the implementation of both County and National Government legislation.
Prior to her entry in the public service, Peninah worked in Development organisations including Compassion International – Kenya Office 2006- 2013 where she rose to the position of Partner in Training and Support
Director. Peninah is a graduate of the University of Nairobi in Anthropology. She also holds two masters’ degrees from the same institution in Public Health and in Project Planning and Management.

Ms. Silvia Museiya Kihoro, Principal Secretary State Department For Wildlife

Ms. Museiya holds a Bachelors of Law (LL. B) and a Bachelors of Education (B.Ed.) from the University of Nairobi; a Diploma in human Rights and International Advocacy from Colombia University New York School of Law and she is an alumnus of Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) 2007.

Prior to her appointment as the Principal Secretary, State Department for Wildlife, Silvia was:

A Member of County Assembly (MCA) in the Nairobi City County Assembly where besides oversighting the Nairobi City County Government she served diligently as the Chairperson of Education Committee.
A running mate to Hon. Thuita Mwangi Gubernatorial Jubilee party primaries for Laikipia County in 2017
Appointed to chair Indigenous Peoples’ National Steering Committee on Climate Change (IPNSCCC) and subsequently nominated by 31 Indigenous Peoples’ organizations across Kenya and Tanzania to sit in the 9-member climate change council chaired by the president
An author and editor of various publishing houses such as East Africa Educational Publishing houses such as East Africa Educational Publishers (EAEP), Longhorn Publishers and Law Africa. To that end, she has published two books with EAEP that are currently used in Rwanda, Poetry and literature contributions to Longhorn Form Four book, and an Elections training manual by Law Africa
A Programs Officer, Board member, Trainer of Trainers and volunteer with various non-government organizations (NGO’s) such as MPIDO (Mainyoito Pastoralist Integrated Development Organization), RETO women, IMPACT (Indigenous Movement for Peace and Conflict Transformation), Pastoralist Development Network of Kenya (PDNK), CEDMAK (Center for Development of Marginalized Communities in Kenya), URAIA Trust, Koija Trust and Group ranch among others
TSC English/Literature and History/Government Teacher at State House Girls’ High school and Laikipia Air Base Mixed Secondary School

In her free time PS Silvia enjoys writing, creative arts especially films, teaching and training, Community work, Traveling and Volunteering for a cause.

Hon. John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, Principal Secretary State Department For Tourism

Ololtuaa is an educationist who started his education-based career in 1993 as an assistant Teacher. He later on became the Principal of Ennosaen Secondary School. Through his consistent effort and commitment, he rose through the ranks to become District Education Officer in charge of Suba, Mbita, and Bomet Districts.

He further served as County Director of Education for Bomet and Kajiado Counties. Out of determination, sheer hard work, and commitment, Ololtuaa was promoted to serve as a Regional Director of Education in charge of Eastern, Nairobi, Rift Valley, and Central Regions respectively.

He was appointed to serve in the Transition Authority overseeing the transition to Devolved system of governance. He specifically served as the County Transition coordinator in charge of Narok County.

Ololtuaa is a mentor of the youth where he supports several youth development initiatives across the country.

In 2020 he participated in Global Schools Partnership Program by visiting schools in Richmond, North Yorkshire in England which entailed a program being implemented through the British Council in developing learning Partnerships between schools in Africa,Asia ,Latin America and the Caribbean.

He is a community organizer who has in his engagement with the community, helped in building of churches and supporting philanthropic activities in Narok and beyond where he has participated in promoting community initiatives for women, youth, and underprivileged sectors of the society. Ololtuaa is passionate about Youth Counselling Programes, Fight against Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

His faith in community service saw him contest for the Kilgoris Constituency seat to represent the ideals of community progress in the August house as a Member of the National Assembly. He continues to support community programs such as scholarship support for orphans and vulnerable children, welfare development for the old and widowed in the community.

Hon.John Ololtuaa is a transformative leader who believes in the ideals of strategic management and high standards of professionalism, transparency, integrity, and accountability.

In September 2022, Ololtuaa was appointed as the principal secretary in the State Department of Tourism in the ministry of Tourism, Wild Life, Culture and Heritage where he is in charge of Tourism Promotion, policy formulation, and Development of the Tourism industry in Kenya.

Ms. Ummi Bashir, Principal Secretary State Department For Culture & Heritage

Ms. Ummi is an advocate of the high court of Kenya with 11 years of post-admission experience in the field of Law. She holds a Master’s Degree in armed conflict & peace from the University of Nairobi, a post-graduate diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from Zanzibar University. She is pursuing her PhD in International Relations, Foreign Policy and Diplomacy at the United States International University.

She has worked with UNDP-Kenya, UNHCR, in the office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, served as the County Chief Officer in the Department of Public Service and Labour in Wajir County Government and also served as the Head of Legal and advisor to the Governor in Mombasa County Government.

The State Department for Culture and Heritage is poised to significantly contribute to developing Kenya’s culture and heritage, honoring our heroes who contribute considerably to the development and growth of Kenya’s past, present, and future, embarking on various initiatives to promote Kenya’s cultural identity and ensure that Kenya’s cultural heritage remains relevant in digital age through innovation and technology.