President William Ruto has appointed Bishop Margaret Wanjiru and former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga to new state jobs.
Ruto, in a gazette notice dated October 25, 2024, appointed Bishop Wanjiru as the Chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, with Omanga set to serve as a member of the Commission.
Wanjiru replaces Pamela Olet as the head of the Commission.
Other members include Dr. Mumo Musuva, Grace Senewa Mesopirr, John Kioli, Eva Muhia, Amos Chege Mugo, Carlotta Dalago, Rael Chebichii Lelei, Benjamin Langwen, and Charles Karisa Dadu.
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, who previously served on the Commission, has not been listed among the members.
“NOW THEREFORE, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the Constitution and the Laws of the Republic of Kenya do hereby establish the Nairobi Rivers Commission,” reads part of the notice.
The members of the Commission shall hold office for a term of three years renewable once based on performance, according to the head of state.
Following the appointments, President Ruto noted that the Nairobi Rivers Commission shall include Principal Secretaries from several State Departments within the Ministries of Environment, Water, Lands, and Internal Security and National Administration.
“The Secretariat of the Commission shall be domiciled at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, which shall assist in the day-to-day management of its affairs,” reads part of the notice adds.
Ruto appoints Bishop Wanjiru and Omanga to new state roles
The terms of reference of the Bishop Wanjiru-led Commission include reclaiming the rivers of Nairobi, examining previous reports and recommendations made in the efforts of reclaiming the Nairobi River and adopt lessons learnt in the new initiative.
Also Read: Ruto Appoints Ex-MPs, Bishop to State Jobs
It will also undertake an assessment of the rivers related to the current and future issues and their root causes, and develop a program dubbed the Nairobi Rivers Basin Regeneration Program (NABREP) to restore and enhance the Nairobi Basin and related infrastructure.
This is an aim to ensure standards that permits the full enjoyment of a safe, inclusive and healthy environment for all and unlock the socio-economic potential of the Basin.
The Commission shall be financed through funding appropriated for the Commission’s use by the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government.
Also, the financing will be raised through donations and endowment for the purposes of implementing the NABREP.
Wanjiru and Omanga rise to the top
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru who owns the Jesus Is Alive Ministries Church makes a comeback having lost in the 2022 General elections.
Also Read: Margaret Wanjiru Narrates How NIS and DCI Officers Lifted Her Skirt
Wanjiru unsuccessfully vied for the Nairobi Senate race in which she lost to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
The Bishop transitioned made her way through into politics back in 2007 when she successfully vying for the Starehe Member of Parliament seat.
She later served as an assistant Minister for housing in 2018 before unsuccessfully vying for the Nairobi gubernatorial race in which she lost to former governor Mike Sonko.
On her part, former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga rose to prominence in 2013 when she was appointed a director at KenGen, a position she held until 2017.
This was before she ventured into politics when she vied for the Nairobi Women Representative position in which she lost to Esther Passaris of the ODM Party.
After losing the elections, Millicent was nominated to the Senate by Jubilee Party, a position she held until 2022.
Omanga in the 2022 polls again attempted her luck at the Nairobi Women Representative position under United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party but still lost to Passaris.
She was recently shortlisted among candidates for the position of member of the Commission of Administrative Justice (CAJ)- Office of the Ombundsman.
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