President William Ruto has appointed former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi to state role.
In a notice dated Friday, June 26, 2026, Ruto appointed Kiraitu as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Competition Authority of Kenya for three years.
The appointment take effect immediately.
While appointing Murungi, the Head of State revoked the appointment of Charles Mahinda as chairperson of the Competition Authority’s Board of Directors.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 10 (1) (a) of the Competition Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces appoint—KIRAITU MURUNGI to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Competition Authority, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 26th June, 2026,” raed the notice in part.
“The appointment of Charles W. Mahinda is revoked.”
Ruto Appoints Kiraitu Murungi as Competition Authority Board Chair
Kiraitu currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK).
Kiraitu Murungi began his career as a law tutor at the Kenya School of Law and practiced as an Advocate of the High Court.
A stalwart of the pro-democracy movement, he rose to prominence in the 1990s as a human rights lawyer and civil society leader, campaigning for multi-party democracy.
His formal political career began in 1992 when he was elected MP for South Imenti, a seat he held for more than two decades before winning the Meru gubernatorial contest in 2017.
Under President Mwai Kibaki, Murungi served as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs from 2003 to 2005 and subsequently as Minister of Energy from 2005 to 2012, overseeing the electricity, petroleum, and renewable energy portfolios.Â
Also Read:Â Kiraitu Murungi Profile: Age, Education, Career, Family, and Net Worth
Murungi holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Nairobi and later completed a master’s in law there.
He also undertook postgraduate studies at Harvard Law School. In recognition of his public service, he has received the Presidential Elder of the Golden Heart (EGH) award and the Jubilee Golden Award for Distinguished Public Service.
Kiraitu will chair the Authority’s Board of Directors, ensuring the agency properly implements competition laws, prevents anti-competitive practices, and investigates abuses of market dominance.
As board chair, he is expected to provide strategic leadership and corporate governance while management handles the Authority’s daily operations.
Also Read:Â Who Is David Samoei Ruto? Little-Known Details of Ruto’s Younger Brother
Other State Appointments
At the same time, the Head of State reappointed former Tigania East MP Joseph Muthari as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS).
Muthari’s appointment will take effect from June 30, 2026.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 (1) (a) of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, re-appoint— JOSEPH M’ERUAKI M’UTHARI as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 30th June, 2026,” read the gazette.
In a separate notice, Ruto announced the reappointment of Stanley Kiptis as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) for another three-year term, effective June 26, 2026.
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