Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife doesn’t know how to hurl brickbats. She’s aware that the noisiest wheels in politics get greased, but that just isn’t her style.
“It’s just not who I am,” she said recently from her office. And sometimes she wonders if her lack of brusqueness, her aversion to brouhaha, is seen as a lack of commitment to the wider political agenda.
Before she was appointed to Tourism, she was a Cabinet Secretary of the East African Community, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry (which lasted a couple of months before the reshuffle).
Ms Miano who has a Master of Laws in Comparative Law ran KenGen as its first female CEO. Now she finds herself stewarding one of Kenya’s most critical economic sectors.
We last spoke to her six years ago. We caught up with her again to see if, indeed, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
Last we spoke, you had just shattered the glass ceiling as KenGen’s first female CEO. Now you’re here. How has that changed how you view yourself?
During my five years at KenGen, I learned several lessons. One key takeaway was the importance of being competent. I worked hard to understand what I needed to achieve, and with competence came confidence. When I was nominated to join the Cabinet, I was initially shocked; I had thought being CEO of a major parastatal was the peak of my career.
The Cabinet was an entirely new environment, being the highest authority in running the country.
After my initial shock, I felt grateful, honoured, and humbled. I wasn’t quite sure how to navigate this new role, especially since many remarked, “This one is not a politician.”
Suddenly, I was in the sea of politics. I decided to lean on the leadership skills I had developed throughout my life and professional experience. Those skills — competence, confidence, discipline, and good planning — have been my guiding principles.
There was the politics to contend with, no doubt…
Especially since my position is the outcome of a political process, and so with my corporate background, many believed that this was the area where I was lacking.
This realisation prompted me to examine the nature of politics. According to the Constitution, members of the Cabinet are not considered politicians—politicians are those who are elected, and we are not.
I sought a way to bridge this gap by learning from my political colleagues and friends.
I acquired the skills necessary to navigate the political arena. I complemented that with my skills and experiences in the corporate sector. What initially appeared to be one of my greatest disadvantages has turned into a strength.
Because of my willingness to learn, my transition has been easy.
How does holding an office like this change you?
Socially, I find that this role requires significantly more interaction than in the corporate sector. I need to engage with communities, travel to rural areas, and meet people. It feels like a purely public life, and I’m often recognised no matter where I go. People have certain expectations of me and my way of life.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano during an interview at her office in Nairobi on June 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
There is also a very thin line in how people perceive the differences between Cabinet members and elected leaders. Additionally, the position comes with specific restrictions. I can’t engage in ‘normal’ activities as I once did; I have to remain alert, cautious, and mindful of my actions.
Are you having fun? Is this fun?
I take this job with deep appreciation, which makes my work enjoyable. There is some scrutiny or publicity that comes with it, which may be unnecessary — but that is life.
Have you learned anything new about power?
Yes — power is temporary. When the Cabinet was dissolved in July, that was the first time I realised that even though I thought I was in until 2027, anything could change.
There’s no room for procrastination in power; you do your best, knowing that the next day could be different. These Cabinet positions are quite... what do you call it... versatile.
How do you define success now, if it has changed at all?
I mentioned earlier that I thought I couldn’t go any higher than I did in my last job. Even before that, as KenGen’s Company Secretary and Legal Director, I thought that was the highest I could go. Sometimes we limit our potential with our thoughts. But God knows our potential. I don’t take possibilities for granted anymore.
Is your gender more prominent the higher you go, or is the inverse true?
The conversation about gender is very real. I have faced many biases and stereotypes. You might think that having seniority would help counteract these issues, but it doesn't work that way.
However, when you focus on your qualifications, and have confidence, you can navigate through these challenges. It's especially crucial since women and girls look up to you, and that responsibility pushes you to have the resilience needed to tackle whatever comes your way.
At lower levels, it's easier to feel discouraged and give up. When you’re younger, you often don’t want to confront or challenge authority. But once you've reached a higher position, you have the tools to claim your space. That’s the key difference. How you manage these challenges is crucial, but the biases don’t necessarily diminish—in fact, for some, they may intensify. Now, I have developed thick skin.
What affirms you the most?
First, there’s nothing as spectacular as knowing there is a superpower in charge of your life — and that is God. So that anchors me. Secondly, I am my own cheerleader.
I know myself and what I’m capable of. I also get affirmation from my family and my boss. If I do something and I know it’s what my boss expected — and he affirms it — oh, that day, I feel good. [Chuckles]
When in life were you most uncomfortable, unmoored, destabilised?
When I was cyberbullied, when some people were paid to say very negative and unfair things about me — things I had never even imagined. Reading these things made me question, “Is this really me they’re talking about?” However, I managed to overcome it by choosing to view it as just an incident, not a defining moment in my life.
How has your role changed your friendships and social relationships?
First, people assume I am too busy, and that I have no time for them. So, I am not invited to things anymore. [Chuckles] Friends don’t reach out as much as they used to — they feel there’s protocol or security around me. Then some reach out because they expect something from my office. I could easily end up not having friends.
I also can’t attend as many events and invitations as I’d like because there are so many considerations. I can’t just pop into places. Eventually, people sort of leave you a bit. But they don’t understand that you’re still the same person you were.
Under what circumstances are you most insecure?
When politics get heated, it can be challenging to navigate the situation. For instance, when politicians are publicly trading insults and undermining each other, and even when I am not involved in that conflict, some people might question my loyalty to the government. I’ve had individuals ask, “Are you with us or not?” simply because I haven’t joined in the attacks.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano poses for a photo at her office in Nairobi on June 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
When I take the microphone, even at a presidential event, while some of my colleagues are busy criticising others, I focus on discussing development issues. [Chuckles] In those moments, I often wonder what my boss thinks of me, and it can make me feel insecure.
What are you struggling with in this season of your life?
I have a lot to accomplish, and time is moving very quickly. I have specific targets, such as attracting a certain number of tourists, but it sometimes feels like not everyone shares my vision.
Public service is complex and can easily be disrupted by politics and other factors. So, how can I work toward my goals and motivate everyone to work together to achieve them? I feel there is so much to do. As I've mentioned, this ministry relies on many other people, and what I consider urgent may not be a priority for them.
What’s on your vision board?
Personal development. Growth of family — because it doesn’t make sense to succeed in your job if your family is struggling. I’m happy my son got married this year, and my daughters are doing well. There’s also spirituality and wellness.
What marriage advice did you give your son?
I advised that marriage is not as simple as it may seem at first. I urged him to give his best to his family, love his wife, and work hard and above all, he should never be surprised by the challenges that come with marriage.
It is a journey filled with both good and bad possibilities. Of course, he knows our family well; he has witnessed both our joyful moments and our struggles. I pray for him and hope his life overflows with blessings.
What bad habit are you trying to kick?
[Pause] None. What I’m working on is strict consistency in the good habits I need — like my wellness programme and exercise. I practice yoga. It’s brought me mental clarity because it demands focus and connects your breath, mind, and body. It’s also improved my flexibility. I’ve become quite agile, energetic, and positive.
