Ruto Appoints Paul Russo, Rita Kavashe, Kevit Desai as University Chancellors

Head of State William Ruto and multiple Cabinet Secretaries have announced several appointments to public universities and important state boards, marking the recent government reshuffle. Through a gazette notice published on Thursday, April 2, the President designated Rita Kavashe as Chancellor of Pwani University, KCB Chief Executive Paul Russo as Chancellor of Kibabii University, and Dr Kevit Desai as Chancellor of Kabianga University. The President stated that these appointees will serve at their respective institutions for a five-year duration. Russo’s selection follows shortly after his appointment to another governmental position as an independent board member. At the ministerial level, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua named Geoffrey K. Maritim as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Employment Authority (NEA) Board for a three-year term. His counterpart in the Communications Ministry, William Kabogo, appointed a former Member of Parliament to serve as a board member of the Information and Communications Technology Authority. Simultaneously, CS Kabogo also granted Mwangi J. Nderitu a board membership position at the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK). Gender CS Hanna Wendot Cheptumo implemented various changes at the Women Enterprise Fund Advisory Board, mixing reappointments with new selections. Yvonne Nalokitoo Tonkei was reappointed, while Wesley Kipchumba Keitany and Ebla Haji Aden were brought in as new members for three-year terms. In efforts to combat female genital mutilation, the CS appointed Beatrice Mwarania Mburugu and Saphina Chelagat to the Anti-Female Genital Board for six years. Within the mining sector, CS Hassan Joho designated Lucy Mirigo Micheni to the Mineral Rights Board, while his Education counterpart, CS Julius Ogamba, named Njenga Benjamin Kahura as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kabete National Polytechnic Council and renewed Honey Abdi Mohamud’s membership on the same council. Cornelius Kibet Some also received an appointment to the Kipsoen National Polytechnic Council for a three-year term, whereas Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui renewed Anthony Wainaina’s position on the Special Economic Zones Authority board. The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) witnessed multiple reappointments, featuring Teresa Bitutu Oroo, Willis Omondi Orowe, Hellen Makone, and others for a three-year term. In the health sector, Dr David Kipchirchir Rotich was selected to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital board, while Thomas Kipkosgei Cheruiyot was reappointed to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) board. In the judiciary, Chief Justice Martha Koome designated Elias Ngugi Mwenda and Lily Monica Nafula to handle cases connected to corruption and economic crimes.