Kidero, Raila's sister lead Ruto loyalists in State appointments

President William Ruto's loyalists and some 2022 General Election losers have dominated recent appointments to the Kenya Kwanza administration.

A series of appointments have given a lifeline to Ruto's allies who were initially nominated as Cabinet Assistant Secretary (CAS), but relegated to the cold following a court ruling that declared the posts unconstitutional.

The latest appointee is former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, named chairperson of the Kenya the Kenya National Trading Corporation board for a three-year term. In a gazette notice, dated November 15, 2024 Ruto revoked the appointment of Hussein Debasso to pave the way for Kidero..

"In excercise of the powers conferred by Section 6 (1) (a) of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act, 2013 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— Evans Kidero" read the notice in part.

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Notably, Kidero has been in the political cold after losing the Homa Bay governor race. The former Nairobi governor was among 50 CASs nominated by the President.

In the latest appointments, President Ruto also named Dr Wenwa Akinyi as the Chairperson of the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute for a three-year term.

Also appointed are Teobald Wambugu as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Tana Water Works Development Agency and Thuo Mathenge as Chairperson of the Board of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, both for a three-year term.

Mathenge, popularly known as Wanguku, vied for the Nyeri gubernatorial seat in the 2022 General Election but lost to the incumbent, Governor Mutahi Kahiga. He was previously allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Another close ally of President Ruto Charles Njagua alias Jaguar, was also earlier this week handed a new role as a member of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ). 

Njagua was nominated alongside Dorothy Jemator Kimengech to fill the two vacant positions of members of CAJ.

Njagua had initially been appointed as the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports. The courts, however,  halted his ascension to the position. 

The CAJ is charged with tackling maladministration (improper administration) in the public sector. It is empowered to, among other things, investigate complaints of delay, abuse of power, unfair treatment, or manifest injustice or discourtesy. The commission is currently chaired by Florence Kajuju.

The appointments come against the backdrop of others made by the Head of State last month. 

Former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru has been appointed Chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, replacing Pamela Olet. Millicent Omanga was also nominated to the Commission, replacing former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu. These changes were communicated in a Gazette notice dated October 25, 2024.

The appointments aim to address the environmental and public health challenges posed by Nairobi’s polluted rivers.

“Despite various State interventions, the Nairobi River Basin has not regenerated sufficiently to sustain aquatic life and remains murky and turbid,” President Ruto stated. The Commission will focus on restoring, rehabilitating, and beautifying the rivers.

Other members include environmental scientist Mumo Musuva and sustainable development advocate John Kioli.