President William Ruto has announced changes within key government agencies. In Gazette Notices dated December 11, 2025, the Head of State made two fresh appointments and revoked one.
In the first notice, President Ruto invoked his powers under section 10(1)(a) of the Competition Act and section 51(1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act to appoint Charles Mahinda as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK).
Mahinda will serve for a three-year term effective December 11, 2025. In turn, President Ruto revoked the appointment of Shaka Kariuki.
CAK is mandated to enforce the Competition Act, CAP 504 (the Act), to protect effective competition in markets and to prevent misleading market conduct throughout Kenya.
The Authority exercises this mandate by controlling mergers and acquisitions, deterring anti-competitive conduct such as abuse of dominance and price fixing. CAK also enforces consumers’ rights while sanctioning abuse of buyer power where powerful businesses disenfranchise their weaker suppliers.
Ruto appoints Dr. Kipkorir to the Nairobi Rivers Commission
In a separate notice, President Ruto appointed Dr. Loice Jepkemboi Kipkorir as a Member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC), also for a three-year term.
“IT IS notified for the information of the general public that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces has appointed LOICE J EPKEMBOI K IPKORIR (D R .) to be a Member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 11th December, 2025.”
NRC operates under the mandate of Gazette Notice No. 13907 of October 25, 2024, which outlines its responsibility to lead the regeneration and long-term rehabilitation of the Nairobi River Basin.
A key function of the Commission is to reclaim Nairobi’s rivers as a central part of the city’s blue and green infrastructure, improving the urban environment and overall quality of life.
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The Commission is also tasked with reviewing past reports on river restoration efforts and incorporating lessons learned into the Nairobi Rivers Basin Regeneration Program (NABREP). This program aims to restore and enhance the basin to standards that ensure a safe, inclusive, and healthy environment while unlocking its socio-economic potential.
Additionally, NRC coordinates the activities of various agencies involved in rehabilitation, protection, beautification, and sustainable development of the riverine ecosystem. It monitors environmental compliance, proposes necessary regulatory reforms, develops codes of conduct, and drives resource mobilization.
The Commission is further mandated to establish a Trust Fund to manage partnerships and financial resources for river restoration projects and to promote public awareness on sustainable conservation of the Nairobi Rivers Basin.
Cabinet Secretaries announce new appointments
Several Cabinet Secretaries have also issued new appointments across key government institutions.
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Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Murithi Mugaa, in a notice dated December 11, appointed Lorna Timanoi Nkowua as a member of the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency for a three-year term. The appointment of Letulala ole Masikonde was revoked.
On his part, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba made fresh appointments to the Mitunguu National Polytechnic Council.
James Mugambi Kimathi was appointed as the Chairperson, while Benjamin Okumu Okullu, Susan Mwebia, Stephen Rukaria, Edward Omoti, and Joan Gituma were appointed as Council members, each for a three-year term effective December 11, 2025.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya also announced the appointment of Col. (Dr.) R. N. Mbuva as a member of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Pension Appeals Committee by the Defence Council. This appointment, also effective from December 11, 2025, replaces that of Col. (Dr.) C. O. Ondego, whose appointment was revoked.
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