President William Ruto has made several important appointments this year, as part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen Kenya’s leadership at both national and international levels.
In May 2024, he appointed former US Ambassador to Kenya, Lazarus Amayo as the Special Envoy of the African Union Championship for Institutional Reforms.
Additionally, in July 2024, Ruto reshuffled his cabinet, introducing 11 new cabinet appointments.
This included nominations for positions in key sectors like Treasury, Energy, Cooperatives and Mining.
Ruto made significant political moves by nominating four prominent members of the opposition (Orange Democratic Movement) ODM party to key positions in his Cabinet in what he termed as a Broad-Based Government.
Ruto Appointments of Cabinet and Former CSs
In the July 24, 2024, nominations, President William Ruto named John Mbadi as the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning and Opiyo Wandayi to lead the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
Ali Hassan Joho, on his part was picked to head the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, and Wycliffe Oparanya to lead the Ministry of Co-operatives and MSME Development.
Former Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, was reassigned to the role of Deputy Chief of Staff, Performance & Delivery Management.
In addition, former Public Service CS Moses Kuria was designated as a Senior Advisor in the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), while digital strategist Dennis Itumbi was appointed Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects in the Executive Office of the President.
Also Read: Profile of Prof. Isaac Kosgey: At the Center of Moi University’s Troubles
Chairperson Roles
The Head of State in a gazette notice dated November 15, appointed Kidero to be the Chairperson of the Kenya National Trading Corporation and Thuo Mathenge to be the Chairperson of the Board of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization.
Ruto also appointed Bishop Margaret Wanjiru as the Chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission and Elisha Busienei to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the School Equipment Production Unit.
Bishop Joseph Kagunda, on the other hand, was appointed to be the chairperson of the Board of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, for a period of three years, with effect from the 4th of October 2024.
Ruto on November 22 named Nicholas Gumbo and Swarup Mishra to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Sugar Board and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Kenya Biovax Institute Limited respectively.
President Ruto also made several significant appointments, including naming Silas Otieno Jonyo and Mohammed Abdi Mohammed as the chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication Council and the Social Health Authority (SHA) respectively.
Also Read: John Mbadi Profile: Education Background, Family, Career and Politics
Security and Other Key Appointments
In addition to key appointments in the security and military sectors, President William Ruto made several other notable changes.
He appointed Douglas Kanja as the new Inspector General of Police. Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri was named the new Chief of Defense Forces following the death of General Francis Ogolla.
Additionally, former army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo was appointed as the Chief Mediator for the South Sudan Mediation Peace Process.
Further appointments included that of Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, the former M-PESA Africa CEO, as the chair of the Board of Directors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), while former Chief of Defense Forces Robert Kibochi was appointed to head the Board of Directors of the Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital.
On March 15, 2024, President Ruto appointed Benjamin Washiali, former Member of Parliament for Mumias East, as the Chairperson of the Board of the Tourism Regulatory Authority.
Former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich was also appointed as the Senior Advisor on Fiscal Affairs and Budget Policy while environmentalist and CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, was named the Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.
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