William Ruto sustains purge on Uhuru appointees awarded plum positions

Among the loyalists rewarded with government jobs are former governors, former Members of Parliament and Ruto's allies from regions considered hostile who swam against the tide in the 2022 election by supporting his presidential bid.

Two former governors, Cleophas Lagat (Nandi) and Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) have been appointed to chair the boards of the Rivatex East Africa Limited and the SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority, respectively. Lagat replaces businessman Linus Gitahi, with Ranguma taking over from George Murathe.

Among the former MPs is Sakwa Bunyasi, whose petition challenging the election of Paul Otuoma as Busia governor was quashed on Thursday.

The former Nambale Member of Parliament took over as the chairperson of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery board in December 2022. He replaced Kenya Private Sector Alliance Chief Executive Officer Caroline Kariuki, who Uhuru appointed in July last year.

Bunyasi will serve a three-year term in the body charged with guiding Kenya's transformation into a middle-income country, but which has recently been dormant.

Other former MPs who have landed three-year-long appointments include Daniel Rono (Keiyo South), Beatrice Kones (Bomet East), Ali Mbogo (Kisauni), Charles Njagagua,( Mbeere North ), Amin Deddy Mohamed Ali (Laikipia East), Edick Anyanga (Nyatike), Francis Njenga (Gatundu North), Moses Mabonga (Bumula), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga) and former Elgeyo Marakwet Women Representative Jane Kiptoo.

Rono takes over from Mary Mwadime as the chairperson of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, a body that has been dogged by scandal in the past.

Kones, on the other hand, has been appointed by Treasury Cabinet Secretary as a member of the Local Authorities Provident Fund, which will be headed by Amin Deddy, who replaces Sellestuna Kiuluku.

Mbogo will head the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council Order as a non-executive chairperson, with Njagagua replacing Peter Ntoyian as the chair of the Consolidated Bank Limited board.

Anyanga will head the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority, replacing Stephen Karanja, with Njenga taking over as chairperson of the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority, replacing Richard Kiplagat.

Mabonga replaces Mohammed Amin Sheikh as the chairperson of the Insurance Regulatory Authority as Chanzu, who has previously unsuccessfully bid to be Vihiga governor, takes over as the chair of the National Housing Corporation, replacing Ben Gituku.

Gituku, who previously chaired the board of the Communication Authority of Kenya, was appointed in July last year.

Kiptoo, on her part, will chair the Bomas of Kenya Board for three years, replacing Khadija Awale.

Former Kilome MP Regina Ndambuki, who is also the former chairperson of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, will be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Tanathi Water Works Development Agency until July 2025.

Other politicians are former Uasin Gishu Governor Daniel Chemno, who will chair the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union's board, former Nominated MP Nasri Sahal as chairperson of the Board of Directors of Northern Water Works Development Agency and former Nyeri MayorGathaka Wanyaga as the chair of the Tana Water Works Development Agency's board of directors.

Former Kericho Deputy Governor Lily Ng'ok will chair the board of Directors of the Kenya Industrial Estates for three years, with former Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi picked to chair the Retirement Benefits Authority. Havi unsuccessfully vied to be the Westlands MP in August last year.

"The appointment of Abdirahin H. Abdi is revoked," Prof Ndung'u announced Havi's appointment.

Another unsuccessful aspirant picked is Hussein Tene Debasso, who lost in the race Isiolo governorship race to Governor Abdi Guyo. Debasso will chair the board of directors of the Kenya National Trading Corporation, replacing Paul Rukaria.

Others who landed the appointments are former KCB chair Ngeny Biwot as the chairperson of the board of the Special Economic Zones Authority, Francis Mugo (Chairperson of the Scrap Metal Council) and Zippie Metto as a member of the Tourism Fund.