President William Ruto has reappointed key figures to boards of state corporations and universities, while Cabinet Secretaries announced new selection panels for science and innovation bodies. Chief Justice Martha Koome also designated special courts for drug-related cases. These appointments occur as the government prepares for privatization efforts and with less than a year until the next general election.
President William Ruto has reappointed Hannah Waitherero Muriithi as the non-executive chairperson of the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) board for a three-year term starting January 20, 2026. He also renewed Phillip Mong’ony's role as chairperson of the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) for three years, along with Muyumba Simon Indimuli as board secretary for the same period, effective at the end of January. These changes align with government plans to privatize state firms to ease the debt burden. In education, Ruto named Dr. John Kipngetich Mosonik as chancellor of Rongo University for five years. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi appointed Prof. Florence M’Mogi Olubayo to chair the selection panel for the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NCSTI) board, including members Daniel Oliech, George Nyakundi, Dr. Stephen Ikikii, Wairimu Njage, Dr. Evans A. Mukoye, and Prof. Benedict Mutua. Mudavadi further selected Prof. Amina Abubakar to lead the panel for the National Research Fund board of trustees, with Caroline Kiget, Seth Nyamweya Masese, Jona Wala, Jane Mwangi, Prof. Mary Gikungu, and Prof. James Kahindi as members. Shukri Baramadi was appointed to chair the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KNIA) trustees' selection panel, joined by Sally Tanui, Janet Kung’u, Michael Kagika, Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Dr. James Mwaluma, and Prof. Peninah Aloo-Oluoch. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi added Risper Olick to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) board for three years. Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui named Nelson Gaichuhie as chairperson of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA). Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya reappointed Melissa Ngania to the Financial Inclusion Fund board from January 20, 2026. Other reappointments include Benson Kilonzo to the Coast Development Authority and Winnie Tsuma to the National Environmental Tribunal, both for three years. Separately, Chief Justice Martha Koome gazetted special magistrates' courts at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kahawa, Mombasa, and Busia to handle narcotic and psychotropic substance cases with local and international aspects. The appointments, published in the gazette on Friday, signal early-year adjustments in public institutions.
