Ruto Picks Replacement of Kembi Gitura as KUTRRH Chair in Fresh Appointments

President William Ruto has made fresh appointments to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the Clinical Officers Council of Kenya, and the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH).

In a gazette notice dated August 29, Ruto announced the appointment of a new KUTRRH chairperson, days after former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura resigned.

The Head of State appointed James Kibugu Wambu as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the KUTRRH Board.

Wambu replaces Gitura, whose appointment has been revoked in the same notice.

Ruto Appoints James Wambu to Replace Kembi Gitura as KUTRRH Chair

He will serve on the board for a term of three years, effective August 29.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) of the State Corporations Act, as read together with Paragraph 6 (1) (a) of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital Order, and 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— James Kibugu Wambu to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 29th August, 2025,” read the notice in part.

“The appointment of * Kembi Gitura is hereby revoked.”

The appointment comes days after Kembi Gitura resigned from the position, just eight months after he was appointed in December 2024.

In a statement released on August 26, Gitura announced his decision to step down due to political and personal conflicts.

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He explained that serving in the role created the impression that he supported the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government, which he has long opposed.

“When I accepted this role, many of my friends and political supporters questioned whether I had shifted my allegiance to UDA. I explained that this was not a political appointment, but optics matter,” he said.

Gitura stressed that his resignation was not linked to any problems at KUTRRH, which he praised as a successful institution that has reduced the need for Kenyans to seek treatment abroad.

“I may have been doing a good job at the hospital, but I am a politician. People expect me to speak out strongly against issues like corruption. Holding this role limited me,” he added.

“I want to be on the correct side of history when the penultimate chapter on our nationhood is written.”

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Ruto Makes Appointments at CBK and Clinical Council

At the same time, Ruto appointed Pius Ang’asa, General Manager of Nokia Kenya, as a board member of CBK for a period of four years.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 11 (2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint-Pius Ang’asa to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Kenya, for a period of four (4) years,” the notice read.

Furthermore, President Ruto also appointed Dr Joseph Choge as the chairperson of the Clinical Officers Council of Kenya for a period of three years.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 (1) (a) of the Clinical Officers (Training, Registration and Licensing) Act, 2017, 1, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint- Joseph K. Choge (Dr.) as a Non-executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Clinical Officers Council of Kenya, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 29th August, 2025,” the notice read further.

Further, in an addendum to an earlier gazette notice, Ruto expanded the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests by including John Maina, Churchill Suba, and Daki Guyo, with Guyo designated as joint secretary.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that, further to the appointment of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests as published vide Gazette Notice No. 12002 of 2025, the additional persons have been appointed to the membership of the Panel as stated,” read the notice.

CS’s Appointments

Several Cabinet Secretaries have also announced fresh appointments in their respective dockets.

Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba appointed Emma Velma Achieng Maumo and Shimoy Khalif Jilaow as trustees of the President’s Award Board, a programme designed to nurture youth leadership and skills development.

At the same time, Sports CS Salim Mvurya appointed Billy Komintai Konchellah to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya board for a three-year term, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to clean athletics.

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe, on his part, appointed Winnie Beauttah to the board of the National Cereals and Produce Board, replacing Nancy Kibugi.

Meanwhile, in the maritime and blue economy sector, CS Hassan Joho appointed four new members—Dr. Fridah Simba, Joab Tumbo, Steve Biko Luseno, and Ahmed Abdirahman Elyass—to the Bandari Maritime Academy, alongside Josiah Ochieng Obole and Omad Idd Boga to the Kenya Fisheries Service Board.

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