Ruto, CSs make key appointments to public institutions

President William Ruto and several Cabinet Secretaries have made a raft of appointments and reappointments to the boards and leadership of state corporations and public institutions.

Among the changes made directly by the President, Ruto reappointed Eng. Gilbert Maluki as the non-executive chairperson of the National Irrigation Authority Board.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 9 (1) (a) of the Irrigation Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, re-appoint— Gilbert Maluki (ENG.) as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Irrigation Authority Board, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 24th July, 2026," the notice reads.

He also appointed Moses Wekesa Mwambu Mabonga as the non-executive chairperson of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), revoking an earlier gazette notice issued in 2025.

At the same time, the President revoked the appointment of Dr Thuo Mathenge as chairperson of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO).

The National Treasury docket also saw several changes, with Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi reappointing George Murugu Muthui as chairperson of the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board alongside five board members for fresh three-year terms.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 (1) of the Local Authorities Provident Fund Act, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury re-appoints— Johnson P. Osoi as a Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of the Local Authorities Provident Fund," the notice adds.

Also renewed were the terms of Jeremiah Kendagor, Jane Nyokabi and Joseph Tarus as members of the Retirement Benefits Authority Board for a further three-year term.

Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen appointed Adan Haji Ali as the non-executive chairperson of the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority.

He also appointed Sophie Chepkorir Sang to the board of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).

In the energy sector, CS Opiyo Wandayi named Faith Akiru Kuno to the EPRA board, replacing Jennipher Nawoi Long'or, while reappointing Rosemary Nyambura Njaramba, Philip Kibiwot Cherige and Hussein Abdinassir Mohamed to the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation Board.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale renewed the terms of Hesbon Omollo, Jane Masiga and Bernard Bett as directors of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Board.

The education sector also witnessed changes, with Education CSJulius Migos Ogamba making several appointments to universities and technical institutions.

He reappointed members to the councils of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and the University of Embu, while naming new council members to South Eastern Kenya University, Laikipia University, the Nairobi National Polytechnic and Mawego National Polytechnic.

Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa also announced changes across agencies under his ministry.

"..The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation appoints— Njage Makanga (DR.) to be the Non- Executive Chairperson of the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 24th July, 2026," the notice said.

The appointment replaced Samuel Mathenge Nderitu, whose appointment was revoked.

The docket also saw Dr Daniel O. Achach retained on the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency Board, alongside fresh appointments to the Water Sector Trust Fund and the Water Services Regulatory Board.

Elsewhere, Labour CS Alfred Mutua appointed David Musila as the non-executive chairperson of the National Industrial Training Board, while Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui appointed Joseph L. Ole Kasae to the Kenya Leather Development Council Board.

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe named Rose Sang to the KALRO Board, while Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa appointed Abdikarim Mohamed Ali to the Kenya Forestry Research Institute Board.

ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, on the other hand, renewed the terms of two Communications Authority of Kenya board members and brought Alexandria Muhanji on board as a new director.

Additional appointments were also made to the Uwezo Fund Oversight Board, Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Valuers Registration Board and the Lake Basin Development Authority, with most appointees set to serve three-year terms.