Ruto revokes Irungu Nyakera’s appointment as KICC Board Chair, names Samuel Mwangi as replacement
Nyakera’s revocation comes just days after he announced that he would not be attending President Ruto’s Mount Kenya tour.
President William Ruto has revoked the appointment of Irungu Nyakera as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
In a gazette notice dated April 1, 2025, Ruto appointed Samuel Waweru Mwangi to take over the role for a three-year term, effective from the same date.
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“In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 43 (I) (a) of the Tourism Act, as read together with section 51 (I) 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 Samuel Waweru Mwangi to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre for a period of three (3) years, with effect from April 1, 2025. The appointment of Irungu Nyakera is revoked,” reads the notice.
In response to his revocation, Nyakera posted on his Facebook page, saying, “I feel SPECIAL to be fired through a special issue. They could not wait for Friday.”
Nyakera’s revocation comes just days after he announced that he would not be attending President Ruto’s Mount Kenya tour.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Nyakera noted that he would be engaged with school work at Oxford University.
“I will not be present during the President’s upcoming visit to Mt Kenya as I am still in school at Oxford University. That said, I want to share my message with the people and leaders of Mt Kenya,” he said.
Matters development
Despite his absence, Nyakera advised the Mt. Kenya community to focus on development issues instead of engaging in politics.
“In the last election, Mt Kenya voted for development, and development, as we all know, comes through the Office of the President. When he visits next week, let our focus be on that development—not on the politics,” the former Transport Principal Secretary said.
Nyakera further cautioned that history had shown that political divisions could derail development efforts.
“History has taught us harsh lessons. When Mzee Jomo Kenyatta visited Kisumu with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and was received with hostility, development in that region came to a halt for decades,” he said.
He also referenced former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s final term, arguing that internal political disagreements in the region led to lost development opportunities.
According to Nyakera, the time for politics would come, but for now, leaders needed to prioritise engaging with the President on regional development.
“A time for politics will come—but it is not now, and it is certainly not next week. This is a time to engage constructively, to secure what we voted for, and to prioritize the needs of our people,” he said.
Nyakera, who previously served as the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Transport, was appointed as the Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Board in May 2023 before his position was revoked. He was later appointed as the KICC Chairperson before his recent removal by President Ruto.
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