President William Ruto and some of his Cabinet Secretaries made changes in a section of parastatals in latest moves seen to be politically motivated.
In a gazette notice dated August 15, 2025, Ruto appointed ODM youth leader John Antira Ketora as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.
His term will run for three years, effective immediately.
At the Kenya National Shipping Line, the Head of State re-appointed Lt Gen (Rtd) Levi Franklin Mghalu as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
Mghalu, who has previously served in the same capacity, will continue for another three-year term.
He appointed James Onyango Owino as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Commission for University Education (CUE).
His appointment also takes effect from August 15, 2025, and will run for a similar three-year period.
The appointments are part of Ruto’s latest round of changes in state corporations as his administration seeks to strengthen governance in key public institutions.
Meanwhile, trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui appointed Antony Mwangi as a member of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Investment Authority, replacing Peter Maina Gachunga whose appointment was revoked.
In the same ministry, Kinyanjui also appointed Joyce Kiprop Cheruiyot to the Special Economic Zones Authority for three years, while reappointing Philip Coulson to continue serving in the same authority.
In the agriculture sector, CS Mutahi Kagwe appointed Bernard Mpayakuo Kaparo as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Commodities Fund for a three-year term.
At the Ministry of Education, CS Julius Migos Ogamba appointed Aaron Iltele Lesiantam and Racheal Njenga as members of the Board of Trustees of the President’s Award.
He further appointed Awuor Kennedy Otieno to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Biosafety Authority.
CS East African Community (EAC) Beatrice Asukul appointed Margaret Lotukoi Nasilo, Hussein Dida Sora and Alex Kiratu to the Board of the Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority.
In the health docket, CS Aden Bare Duale appointed Olick Nereah Anyango to the Board of Kenya BioVax Institute Limited for a three-year term.
CS for Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hannah Cheptumo, reappointed DorcasObwa and Mohammed Abdi Werer as members of the Kenya National Library Services Board for a two-year term.
Water CS Eric Muuga made several changes.
He appointed Dancun Gituma to the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority while revoking the appointment of Simon Ngugi Mwihaki.
Muuga, however, moved Ngugi to the National Irrigation Authority, appointing him as a board member for three years.
Muuga also appointed Jane Wambui Mucheru to the Board of Directors of the Athi Water Works Development Agency.
Elsewhere, Ruto kicked off the process of nominating a new chairperson and members of the National Land Commission (NLC) by appointing a seven-member selection panel.
In a gazette notice dated August 15, 2025, Ruto declared vacancies in the commission, noting that the current officeholders’ six-year non-renewable term will lapse on November 14.
He said the early move is meant to guarantee a smooth transition in line with the Constitution and the National Land Commission Act.
“I declare impending vacancies in the positions of chairperson and member of the commission, with effect from November 14. 2025 and constitute a selection panel for the recruitment of nominees for appointment as chairperson and members of the national land commission,” he said.
Ruto named seven members to the selection panel, among them Jasper Micheni Mbiuki, Peris Mang’ira, Electine Nasambu, Ann Mwangangi, Bibiana Rabuku Omalla, Professor Nichola Letting, and Rehema Dida Jaldesa.
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