President William Ruto with former Meru County Governor Kiraitu Murungi at the State House, Nairobi/ PCS
President William Ruto has appointed former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Competition Authority of Kenya.
The appointment was made through a gazette notice dated June 26, 2026, and takes effect immediately.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 10 (1) (a) of the Competition Act, as read together with 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— Kiraitu Murungi to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Competition Authority," the gazette notice reads.
Murungi will serve for a period of three years, with effect from June 26, 2026.
The appointment also revokes that of Charles Mahinda, who had been serving as chairperson of the authority’s board.
Murungi returns to public service leadership after previously serving as Meru governor and holding various positions in government over the years.
The Competition Authority of Kenya is mandated to promote and safeguard competition in the national economy and protect consumers from unfair and misleading market conduct.
The authority also oversees mergers and acquisitions and works to ensure fair business practices across sectors.
The appointment was among several board changes and reappointments announced by President Ruto in the latest gazette notices.
In another notice, the President reappointed former Igembe North MP Joseph M’eruaki M’uthari as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS).
His reappointment was made under Section 8 (1) (a) of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service Act and will run for three years from June 30, 2026.
"I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, re-appoint Joseph M’eruaki M’uthari as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, for a period of three (3) years," it adds.
KEPHIS is responsible for matters relating to plant health, seed and planting material quality, and phytosanitary regulation.
President Ruto also renewed the appointment of former Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority.
The reappointment was made under Section 10 (1) (a) of the Kenya National Qualifications Framework Act.
Kiptis will serve another three-year term with effect from June 26, 2026.
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority coordinates and oversees the implementation of the national qualifications framework, including harmonisation and recognition of qualifications.
The latest appointments continue a trend of deployment and retention of former political leaders and public officials in leadership positions across state agencies and public institutions.
The gazette notices formalised the appointments and reappointments with immediate effect in accordance with the respective laws governing the institutions.
