Former CS, Close Ruto Allies Land Plum Jobs in Latest Govt Appointments
President William Ruto has undertaken a comprehensive reshuffle within his administration, appointing former Narok Governor Samuel Tunai as the new chair of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) board.
Announced through a gazette notice on Friday, August 23, this development has stirred political waves by replacing former Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera, whose appointment was unexpectedly revoked, underscoring Ruto’s resolve to strengthen his leadership with trusted allies.
Tunai, who previously held the position of Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, saw his role annulled after courts ruled the position unconstitutional.
His reappointment signals a significant political comeback, illustrating Ruto’s tactic of placing loyalists in key roles, even amid potential controversy.
Irungu Nyakera, whose tenure at KEMSA was brief, has now been appointed as the Chairman of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) board.
He takes over from former Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau, who had only held the position for a little over a year.
Nyakera’s transition from KEMSA to KICC highlights the dynamic nature of appointments under Ruto’s administration, where roles shift frequently.
Former Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney has also secured a new role as Chairperson of the National Lottery Board.
Her three-year term reflects Ruto’s ongoing preference for seasoned officials from his previous government.
Meanwhile, Prof. Jeremiah Nyabuti has been named to the Physical Planners Registration Board, widening the network of familiar figures returning to influential positions.
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The changes at KEMSA are particularly significant given the agency’s recent challenges.
Last year, the entire KEMSA board, along with Public Health PS Dr. Josephine Mburu and KEMSA CEO Terry Ramadhani, was suspended following a scandal involving a Ksh 4 billion mosquito net supply deal.
The scandal sparked public outrage and prompted widespread demands for accountability and reform within the agency.
Ruto’s decision to appoint Tunai as KEMSA’s Chairman is seen as a strategic move to regain control over the troubled organization.
However, it also raises questions regarding the selection process, especially considering that Tunai’s previous position was deemed unconstitutional by the courts.
The President’s claim that these appointments are crucial to advancing his Bottom-Up Economic Agenda (BETA) suggests an effort to align these decisions with broader economic goals.
Nonetheless, the appointments have not been without criticism. Detractors argue that Ruto is prioritizing loyalty over expertise, reappointing figures like Tunai and Nyakera despite their contentious pasts.
The inclusion of former Cabinet Secretaries Eliud Owalo and Moses Kuria in prominent roles, shortly after their removal from the Cabinet, has further fueled concerns of political favoritism.
Owalo’s new role as Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance & Delivery Management stands out.
As the former Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication & Digital Economy, his departure from the Cabinet had been surprising.
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His new position indicates that Ruto values consistency and loyalty, even if it means recycling former Cabinet members into different capacities.
Similarly, the reappointment of Moses Kuria, though not specified in the gazette notice, reflects Ruto’s ongoing practice of rewarding his loyal supporters, regardless of public sentiment.
While this strategy may solidify Ruto’s inner circle, it risks alienating portions of the Kenyan public who are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the perceived lack of fresh leadership within the government.
Former CS, Close Ruto Allies Land Plum Jobs in Latest Govt Appointments
