Eric Muriithi Muuga is a Kenyan civil engineer and politician who serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation in the government of President William Ruto. Appointed in August 2024 at the age of 32, he is noted for being one of the youngest individuals to serve in the Kenyan Cabinet, marking a significant entry of a technocratic "fresh face" into the national political establishment. Born on July 14, 1992, Muuga hails from the Athi region of Igembe South Constituency in Meru County. His formative years were spent in Meru, where he attended St. Johns Boarding Primary School in Maua. He performed exceptionally well in his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations in 2005, which facilitated his admission to the prestigious Lenana School in Nairobi. He attended Lenana School from 2006 to 2009. Following his secondary education, Muuga pursued higher education at the University of Nairobi, where he enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Civil and Construction Engineering program. He excelled academically, graduating with First Class Honours. He later returned to the University of Nairobi to further his specialization, obtaining a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on Water Resources, completing his studies in 2022. Between his secondary schooling and university enrolment, he worked briefly as a volunteer teacher at Kirindine Day Secondary School in Meru County, where he taught subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Business Studies, and Geography. Before his rise to national political office, Muuga established a professional career as a civil engineer. He accumulated over eight years of experience specializing in the operations and management of engineering projects. His portfolio includes hydraulic modelling, the design of water networks, water treatment plants, and the development of water structures. He has held several technical roles, serving as an assistant project engineer for the Water and Sanitation Development Project (WSDP) and as a design engineer for the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water and Supply Sanitation Program. He also worked with the Kilifi Mariakani Water and Sewerage Company Limited (KIMAWASCO) in Kilifi County, a role that brought him experience in regional water utility infrastructure. He is a registered graduate engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and a member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK). In July 2024, amid a cabinet reshuffle following public protests in Kenya, President William Ruto nominated Muuga to lead the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation. During his vetting by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments in August 2024, Muuga drew public attention for his modest background compared to political veterans, declaring a net worth of approximately KSh 31 million, largely attributed to land and farming activities involving tea, coffee, and miraa. He also famously noted during the vetting process that he did not own a car. Following parliamentary approval, he was sworn into office on August 8, 2024. As Cabinet Secretary, Muuga is tasked with overseeing the critical docket of water resources, aimed at improving water accessibility and sanitation infrastructure nationwide.