Ruto overhauls parastatal leadership with multiple revocations

In a significant shake-up of parastatal leadership, President William Ruto has revoked the appointments of two influential individuals to state agencies as part of his ongoing effort to reorganise leadership structures.

The President’s move, detailed in a Gazette Notice, saw the removal of Joe Owaka Ager from his position as Chairperson of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya.

The notice, issued on January 31, 2025, cited the revocation of Ager’s appointment in line with Section 6(1)(a) of the State Corporations Act and Section 51(1) of the Interpretations and General Provisions Act.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 6(1)(a) of the State Corporations Act, as read together with Section 51(1) of the Interpretations and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, revoke the appointment of Joe Owaka Ager as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya, with effect from January 31, 2025,” the notice read in part.

Ager’s tenure, which has now ended, had lasted until the effective date of January 31, 2025.

Ager, a key ally of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has had a varied career, serving previously as the Chair of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) from 2018 to 2021.

He was also General Manager of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) between 2010 and 2015, before chairing the National Mining Corporation.

Following his December 2023 appointment revocation, Ruto named him one of his advisors and appointed him Secretary of Governance.

In the same Gazette, President Ruto also revoked the appointment of Kiema Mwandia, a prominent figure within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), from his role as a member of the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency Board.

Mwandia played an integral role in UDA’s 2022 election campaigns. His appointment was rescinded with the same effective date of January 31, 2025.

Further administrative changes followed, with Cabinet Secretaries announcing new appointments. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revoked Bob Ndubi’s appointment as a member of the Kisii University Council, effective January 31, 2025.

Meanwhile, Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya appointed Martha Wanjiru Miano to the Board of Directors of the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority for a three-year term, replacing Adan Sheikh Abdullahi, whose appointment was also revoked.

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo made a significant change by appointing Leonard Sang to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital Board, effective from January 31, 2025, for a three-year term.

Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano also announced a reshuffle, naming Nancy Waturi Mathenge to the Kenya Wildlife Service Board of Trustees for three years, effective January 31, 2025, while revoking the appointments of Peter Fredrick Moll and Edward Norton.

Water CS Eric Mugaa appointed Nicholas Wambua Muthangya to the Board of Directors of the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency for a three-year term, effective January 31, 2025.

Other Topics To Read

• National
• President William Ruto
• Parastatals
• Ruto overhauls parastatal leadership with multiple revocations
• Headlines

In the Ministry of Defence, CS Roselinda Tuya made several appointments to the Kenya Defence Forces Pension Appeals Committee, naming Col. (Dr.) C. O. Ondego, Col. S. C. Yator, Col. (Rtd.) L. L. Muluvi, and Col. (Rtd.) M. M. Nchuurai for a three-year term. Elly Ongei was also appointed as Secretary to the committee for the same period.

The developments mark another phase of President Ruto’s wider strategy to reshape key institutions across the government.