President William Ruto has appointed Mount Kenya University’s founder Simon Gicharu as the Chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
According to a Gazette Notice published on Friday, October 13, Gicharu will serve for three years in the capacity effective immediately.
In addition, Ruto revoked the appointment of Prof Elishiba Njambi Kimani who was serving in the position.
“I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint— Simon Gicharu (DR.) to be Chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development,” the notice read.
Consequently, Gicharu will take over the leadership of the body established to set the curriculum used across various levels of education.

Additionally, KICD offers curriculum-based consultancy services in basic and tertiary education and training. For decades now, Gicharu has been prominent among leaders of private institutions offering higher education.
Ruto appoints Shaban
Further, the President appointed former Taita Taveta Member of Parliament Naomi Shaban as the new Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Board. The former lawmaker was a close ally of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In doing so, President Ruto revoked the prior appointment of Dr. Khama Rogo. As per the notice, Shaban will serve in the capacity until July 2025.
After serving for two decades as the Taita Taveta MP, Shaban lost in the 2022 elections ending her long-standing stint as a legislator.
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“I William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces be the Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Board, with effect from the 13th of October, 2023, up to the 12th July, 2025,’ the notice read.
In other appointments announced on Friday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki appointed Nelson Dzuya to serve as a member of the Non-Governmental Board.
Additionally, Treasury CS Prof Njuguna Ndung’u appointed George Okeyo to be a member of the Board of Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis – KIPPRA, for a period of three years.
Further, Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi appointed Zakayo Maina to be a member of the Board of Pyrethrum Processing Company.
