President William Ruto has made a series of fresh State appointments, marking another chapter in his ongoing efforts to revitalize public service delivery.
Among the key appointments announced in a gazette notice dated Friday, October 4, is a seven-member Selection Panel tasked with recruiting the next Vice-Chairperson and Public Service Commission (PSC) members. The PSC, crucial to overseeing Kenya’s public service, is constitutionally required to have a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and several members appointed by the President, subject to parliamentary approval.
The new panel includes notable figures such as Arthur Osiya, Oscar Eredi, Prof. Nura Mohammed, Grace Wairimu Kamau, Ruth Wambeti Ruraa, Nancy M. Butama, and Elizabeth Chesang. Their mission will be to find capable leaders who can steer the PSC and ensure public service reforms align with the administration’s agenda.
President Ruto appointed former Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka as Chairperson of the Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre for a three-year term. Munyaka, previously nominated as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing & Urban Development, saw his earlier role derailed after the court declared the CAS position unconstitutional.
Donald Murgor’s tenure as Chairperson of the Water Resources Authority Board has been extended until 2027, solidifying his role in managing the country’s critical water resources. Murgor originally took over from Isaac Kuntai Kool in 2022.
Elsewhere, Bishop Joseph Kagunda, who previously led the Anglican Church’s Mt. Kenya West Diocese, was appointed as Chair of the Anti-Doping Agency. Joseph Kipchumba will head the National Mining Corporation until 2027, tasked with overseeing Kenya’s growing interest in mineral wealth.
Meanwhile, James Ndung’u Mureu takes the helm at the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority, also for a three-year term. Silas Otieno will lead the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication.
These latest appointments come amid heightened public scrutiny, with Kenyans increasingly pressuring the Ruto administration to deliver on its ambitious election promises. The appointments, seen by some as strategic positioning, underscore the President’s attempt to balance political alliances while ensuring key government functions are efficiently managed.
As Ruto enters the second year of his presidency, these new faces will be expected to help translate campaign pledges into tangible results. Whether these changes will have the desired impact remains to be seen, but the message is clear: President Ruto is betting on fresh leadership to steer Kenya forward.
