KENNETH LUSAKA MAKELO
| NAME | KENNETH LUSAKA MAKELO |
| AGE | 62 YEARS |
| GENDER | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | POLITICIAN |
Kenneth Lusaka Makelo is a Kenyan politician and the current Governor for Bungoma County under the Ford Kenya Party, which is part of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Early life and education
Kenneth Makelo Lusaka was born on 18 September 1963 in Kamukuywa, Bungoma County, in what was then Western Province, Kenya.
Lusaka often credits his late mother for instilling in him the discipline and resilience that would later define his public service career.
He began his education at Kamukuywa (AC Mapela) Primary School, where he successfully completed his Certificate of Primary Education in the late 1970s.
After primary school, he proceeded to St. Mary’s Kibabii High School, where he sat for his O-Level examinations.
Following this, he advanced to Chesamisi High School for his A-Level studies and later transferred to Friends School Kamusinga, one of the top national schools at the time.
In 1984, Lusaka enrolled at the University of Nairobi, initially pursuing a degree in Literature.
However, driven by a passion for governance and public administration, he later changed his course of study to a Bachelor of Arts in Government and History, from which he graduated in 1987.
In the early 1990s, he was admitted to the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, Netherlands, where he earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration.
While at ISS, he was elected President of Scholars, a leadership role that gave him international exposure and allowed him to engage with governance and development policy from a global perspective.
Career
Professional career
Kenneth Lusaka’s professional career began in 1987 when he became a District Officer (DO) in Muhoroni, Kisumu County, where he gained hands-on experience in grassroots governance and service delivery.
In the early 1990s, Lusaka rose through the administrative ranks and was posted as District Commissioner (DC) in Homa Bay.
Upon his return to Kenya in the mid-1990s, Lusaka resumed his work in the civil service, steadily rising through the ranks within the Office of the President.
In 2008, Lusaka’s career reached a significant milestone when he was appointed Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Livestock Development by then-President Mwai Kibaki.
As Permanent Secretary, he was responsible for formulating policies to enhance livestock production and marketing, a vital sector for Kenya’s economy.
In late 2012, as the country prepared for the first elections under the 2010 Constitution, he resigned from his position to transition into elective politics.
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By the time he left the civil service, Lusaka had accumulated over two decades of experience in government management, policy implementation, and institutional leadership.
Political career
Kenneth Makelo Lusaka formally entered politics in late 2012, following his resignation as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock Development.
Motivated by a desire to implement transformative policies at the grassroots level, he declared his candidacy for the position of Governor of Bungoma County in the historic 2013 General Election, which marked Kenya’s first elections under the 2010 Constitution and the start of devolved governance.
In the March 2013 elections, Lusaka contested on a New Ford Kenya (NFK) ticket, a party led by Eugene Wamalwa, and won convincingly, becoming the first Governor of Bungoma County.
Upon assuming office, Lusaka prioritized establishing county institutions, streamlining revenue collection systems, and laying the groundwork for effective devolution.
Ahead of the 2017 General Election, New Ford Kenya merged with other parties to form the Jubilee Party, led by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.
Lusaka aligned himself with Jubilee and sought a second term as Governor under its banner.
However, in a closely contested race, he was defeated by Wycliffe Wangamati of Ford Kenya, bringing his first stint as governor to an end.
Despite the loss, Lusaka’s political career took a national turn shortly thereafter.
On 31 August 2017, he was elected Speaker of the Senate, securing 42 votes against 25 garnered by his closest rival, Senator Farah Maalim.
As the 2022 General Election approached, Lusaka left Jubilee and returned to Ford Kenya, a party under the umbrella of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Running on a Ford Kenya ticket, Lusaka contested for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat once again in August 2022 and successfully reclaimed the position by defeating incumbent Wycliffe Wangamati.
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Upon resuming office as Governor in September 2022, Lusaka focused on delivering on his campaign promises, which centered on improving county infrastructure, boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing healthcare services, and expanding opportunities for youth and women.
Net worth
Details about his net worth are not publicly available.
However, Kenneth Lusaka earns a gross salary of Ksh990,000 as a county governor.
This includes:
- Basic salary: Ksh574,200
- House allowance: Ksh200,000
- Salary market adjustment: Ksh196,000
Kenneth Lusaka is also entitled to benefits and allowances such as:
- Official car (up to 3,000cc) or car allowance
- Medical cover for the governor, spouse, and up to four dependent children
- Airtime allowance: Up to Ksh20,000 per month
- Official residence, security, and travel subsistence allowances (per SRC-approved rates)
- Retirement benefits, including gratuity equivalent to 31% of annual pensionable income or contributions to an established pension scheme
- Group life insurance valued at three times the annual pensionable earnings
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