Ruto, CSs, and CJ Koome Make New Appointments Across State Corporations, Courts, and Universities

President William Ruto has made a series of reappointments to key government bodies, adding to the tone for a wider reshuffle across state corporations and public institutions less than a month into the new year.

In various notices published in the gazette on Friday, the President reappointed Hannah Waitherero Muriithi as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) for a further three-year term, effective January 20, 2026.

Ruto also renewed the term of Phillip Mong’ony as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) for another three years. In the same committee, Muyumba Simon Indimuli was re-appointed as Secretary of the Board for a three-year term, effective at the end of this month.

The appointment to the advisory committee comes at a time when the government seeks to privatise several state corporations and offload shares to reduce the growing debt burden.

In the education sector, the Head of State appointed Dr John Kipngetich Mosonik as Chancellor of Rongo University for a five-year term and is expected to steer the institution while at the helm of the institution.

At the same time, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadialso made several appointments linked to the science and research sector. He appointed Prof Florence M’Mogi Olubayo as Chairperson of the Selection Panel for the recruitment of the Board of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation, alongside Daniel Oliech, George Nyakundi, Dr Stephen Ikikii, Wairimu Njage, Dr Evans A. Mukoye, and Prof Benedict Mutua.

Mudavadi also appointed Prof Amina Abubakar as Chairperson of the Selection Panel for the recruitment of the Board of Trustees of the National Research Fund. Other members include Caroline Kiget, Seth Nyamweya Masese, Jona Wala, Jane Mwangi, Prof Mary Gikungu, and Prof James Kahindi.

Additionally, Shukri Baramadi was appointed Chairperson of the Selection Panel for the recruitment of the Board of Trustees of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KNIA), with Sally Tanui, Janet Kung’u, Michael Kagika, Dr Ehud Gachugu, Dr James Mwaluma, and Maasai Mara University Vice Chancellor Prof Peninah Aloo-Oluoch named as members.

Meanwhile, Treasury CS John Mbadi appointed Risper Olick as a member of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for a three-year term.

His Trade counterpart, Lee Kinyanjui, appointed Nelson Gaichuhie as Chairperson and member of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) for a three-year term.

Further, Co-operatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya reappointed Melissa Ngania as a member of the Board of the Financial Inclusion Fund for another three years, effective January 20, 2026.

Additional re-appointmentswere also made to regional and environmental bodies, with Benson Kilonzo re-appointed to the board of the Coast Development Authority and Winnie Tsuma re-appointed as a member of the National Environmental Tribunal, both for three-year terms beginning in early 2026.

Separately, in the Judiciary, Chief Justice Martha Koome gazetted the designation of the JKIA, Kahawa, Mombasa, and Busia Magistrates’ Courts as Special Magistrates’ Courts to handle cases related to thepossession and trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic substanceswith both municipal and international dimensions.