President William Ruto has made leadership changes in three state agencies. In a gazette notice dated May 23, 2025, the President appointed former Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja as the chairperson of the Pyrethrum Processing Company.
Samboja was the second governor of Taita Taveta, who worked as a journalist for the Royal Media Services (RMS) for many years before joining politics.
He will serve as the Pyrethrum Processing Company Board Chairperson for a three-year term.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) of the State Corporations Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint— GRANTON SAMBOJA to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 23rd May, 2025,” read part of the notice.
Tenure as Taita Taveta Governor
Samboja has secured a new state role after his unsuccessful bid for re-election in the 2022 general elections.
The former RMS journalist, who entered politics in 2017 under a Wiper party ticket, served as the second governor of Taita Taveta County.
In 2022, he sought re-election on a Jubilee Party ticket but lost to independent candidate Andrew Mwadime.
During his tenure, Samboja faced multiple challenges including questions about his academic credentials and persistent wrangles with the County Assembly. The conflicts escalated to the point where he called on then-President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve the county government.
He was also impeached by the County Assembly, but the Senate overturned the decision, allowing him to complete his term. The prolonged disputes led to several court battles until the end of his administration.
Before venturing into politics, Samboja worked as a journalist at RMS. He later quit and founded Milele FM, which he eventually sold to Mediamax.
Also Read: Ruto Revokes Appointment of 3 Chairpersons with Immediate Effect
Ruto appointments
President Ruto has also made new appointments in the State Corporations Advisory Committee and the National Youth Service (NYS) Council.
In a gazette notice also dated May 23, the Head of State appointed John Mwangi Karondo as a member of the State Corporations Advisory Committee, for a period of three years effective immediately.
In turn, the appointment of Joseph Kimani Machiri to the same role was revoked.
Further, Ruto appointed Retired Lieutenant General Adan Mulata to be the NYS Council Non-Executive Chairperson.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 9 (2) (a) of the National Youth Service Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint— ADAN K. MULATA (LIEUTENANT GENERAL (RTD.)) to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Service Council, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 23rd May, 2025,” the notice reads.
Also Read: Ruto Makes Three New Appointments, Revokes Two
The appointments come just a week after Ruto named former Kericho County Deputy Governor Lily Ng’ok as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Authority for a three-year term.
In the latest changes, President Ruto revoked the appointment of former Ainamoi Member of Parliament Sylvanus Maritim to the Authority and in turn appointed him as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE).
Additionally, Ruto appointed Professor Lawrence Gumbe to serve as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), marking a key change at the agency tasked with advancing Kenya’s nuclear energy agenda.
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