Former Sports Cabinet Secretary and the chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency Board Rashid Echesa has landed a new government role.
Labour CS Alfred Mutua in a gazette notice dated November 29 appointed Echesa as the chairperson of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.
His appointment takes effect on November 29, 2024, and will run until May 18, 2026.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 28 (1) and (2) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection appoints Rashid Echesa to be the chairperson of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health,” the notice read in part.
Rashid Echesa Lands Another Role
The appointment came after an earlier one of Ali Wario was revoked. Wario had been appointed to the role by former Labour CS Florence Bore.
Rashid Echesa was first appointed as the Chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency Board for a period of three years on May 19, 2023.
President William Ruto revoked the appointment of L. Arch. Robert M. Kariuki, an appointee of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Echesa was dismissed from the Cabinet of Uhuru Kenyatta in an unceremonious manner after being linked to a fraudulent arms deal worth Ksh39 billion.
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Ruto Appoints EX-Airforce Commander Joff Otieno
At the same time, President William Ruto has appointed retired Kenya Air Force Commander Major General Jofidha Otieno Makowenga as the chairperson of the Kenya Space Agency board.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, November 29, the president Ruto revealed that the retired general will head the board for three years with immediate effect.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 6(1)(a) of the Kenya Space Agency Order, 2017, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Major General (Rtd) Jofidha Otieno Makowenga to be the Chairperson of the Kenya Space Agency Board,” the gazettes notice read.
Otieno takes over from Major General (Rtd) James Aruasa, the inaugural Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
James Aruasa chaired the board for six years before stepping down in November 2024.
Maj-Gen Otieno, an engineer, is a decorated officer who played a major role in the operations against Al-Shabaab in Somalia. He retired in 2014.
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Joff Otieno was awarded Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) and Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW)in the same year he retired.
Otieno rose through the military ranks, having previously served as Commandant of the Defence Staff College and the National Defence College.
He also held the position of Director of Logistics at Kenya Air Force Headquarters, among other roles.
Other Appointments
In an appointment made by Defence CS Soipan Tuya, Munanie Mbatha, Mwango Kitsao Kalu and Philip Osano will sit on the Kenya Space Agency board as members.
Former aide to Raila Odinga Silas Chepkeres Jakakimba was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of the South Nyanza Sugar Company for a period of three years.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 6 (1) (e) of the State Corporations Act, as read together with Section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development appoints Silas Jakakimba as a member of the Board of Directors of South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited, with effect from November 29, 2024,” the notice read.
More to follow…
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