Ruto allies rewarded with jobs as government makes new state appointments

President William Ruto’s administration has announced a series of new state appointments, with his allies and loyalists securing key positions.

Among the notable appointees is former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa, who has been named the chairperson of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.

The appointment was formalised by Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua in a gazette notice dated November 29, 2024.

Echesa will serve in this role for the next two years.

“In exercise of powers conferred by Sections 28(1) and (2) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, as read together with Section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection appoints Rashid Echesa to be the chairperson of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health,” reads the notice.

In another appointment, lawyer Silas Jakakimba has been named as a member of the board of directors of the South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited.

The announcement was made by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja.

Jakakimba is an advocate of the High Court and a former legal advisor of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.

Echesa, who is the chairman of the Kenya Water Tower Agency, will replace former Bura MP Ali Wario, whose appointment has been revoked. Wario was appointed to the role by former Labour CS Florence Bore.

At the same time, Defence CS Soipan Tuya made six appointments to her ministry. Retired Kenya Air Force commander, Major General Jofidha Otieno Makowenga, has been appointed as the chairperson of the Kenya Space Agency Board for three years, starting November 29, 2024.

Munanie Mbatha, Mwango Kitsao Kalu, and Philip Osano will serve as members of the same board for the next three years, also appointed by CS Tuya.

Otieno takes over from General (Rtd) James Aruasa, the inaugural chairperson of the board. The decision to keep the position within the military is strategic, as space is vital for both security and communication in the country.

Tuya also picked Lillian Andeso, Frederick Musyoki, and Saitapau Lepapa as members of the Kenya Meat Commission Board.

Acting Gender Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi appointed Stellah Nyambura Kang’ethe as a member of the board of directors of the National Museums of Kenya where she will serve for three years.

Treasury CS John Mbadi made three appointments, picking Paul Orem and Anne Kamais as members of the board of directors of the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation. He also appointed James Agembe as a member of the Nairobi International Finance Centre Authority Board. All three will serve for three years.

Information CS Margaret Nyambura appointed Samuel Onyango Okello as a member of the board of directors of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority.

Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya appointed Melissa Ngania to the board of the Financial Inclusion Fund for three years. Melissa’s appointment also led to the revocation of Lawrence Kibet Chelimo’s position in the same role.

Water CS Eric Muuga appointed Miriam Obura to the board of directors of the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency, where she will serve for three years.

East African Community (EAC), ASALs, and Regional Development CS Beatrice Asukul Moe picked Charles Mwalimu as a member of the Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority board for three years. She also picked Simon Sudi Ayomo as a board member of the Information and Communications Technology Authority. Both will serve for three years.

Transport CSDavis Chirchir appointed Jackline Millicent Omiti to the Transport Licensing Appeals board. Jackline will serve on the board for three years.

Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano reappointed Dr Patrick Omondi Odour as the director of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute for three years.