By Bonface Mulyungi
President William Ruto and several Cabinet Secretaries have made a series of appointments and re-appointments to universities, state agencies, boards, and public institutions.
The changes were announced through a gazette notice dated April 2, 2026.
In the appointments, President Ruto named Paul Russo as the Chancellor of Kibabii University for a five-year term.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 38 (1) (a) of the Universities Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, appoint Paul Russo (CPA) to be the Chancellor of Kibabii University, for a period of five (5) years, with effect from 2nd April, 2026,” the notice said.
He also appointed Dr Kevit Desai as the Chancellor of Kabianga University for a similar five-year term.
In the notice, the President Ruto also appointed Rita Kavashe as the Chancellor of Pwani University for a period of five years, with effect from 2nd April, 2026.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 38 (1) (a) of the Universities Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Rita Kavashe to be the Chancellor of Pwani University, for a period of five (5) years, with effect from 2nd April, 2026.”
The appointments were made under Section 38 (1) (a) of the Universities Act.
In the labour sector, Labour CS Alfred Mutua appointed Geoffrey Maritim as the non-executive chairperson of the National Employment Authority Board for a three-year term, revoking Gazette Notice No. 6770 of 2023.
Meanwhile, Communications and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo named Mwangi Nderitu as a member of the Communications Authority of Kenya board for a three-year term in the ICT sector.
At the Women Enterprise Fund Advisory Board, Gender CS Hanna Wendot Cheptumo re-appointed Yvonne Nalokitook Tonkei and appointed Wesley Kipchumba Keitany and Ebla Haji Aden to serve three-year terms.
The Women Enterprise Fund Advisory Board is responsible for overseeing and guiding the operations of the government fund that supports women-owned businesses and economic empowerment programs in Kenya.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 (g) of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services appoints— Beatrice Mwarania Mburugu (Prof.), Saphina Chelagat, to be Members of the Anti-Female Genital Board, for a period of six (6) years,” the notice adds.
In the mining sector, Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho appointed Lucy Mirigo Micheni as a member of the Mineral Rights Board for a three-year term.
The education sector saw CS Julius Migos Ogamba name Eng. Njenga Benjamin Kahura as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kabete National Polytechnic Council and re-appointed Honey Abdi Mohamud as a council member for three years.
Cornelius Kibet Some was also appointed to the Kipsoen National Polytechnic Council for a similar three-year term.
Elsewhere, Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui re-appointed Anthony Wainaina as a member of the Special Economic Zones Authority Board for a three-year term, effective May 19, 2026.
At the EAC ministry, CS Beatrice Askul Moe re-appointed eight members to the Lake Basin Development Authority Board for a three-year term.
The health sector also saw some changes, with CS Aden Duale appointing Dr David Kipchirchir Rotich to the Board of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for three years.
The CS also re-appointed Thomas Kipkosgei Cheruiyot to the Board of Directors of Kenyatta National Hospital for a three-year term and revoked the earlier appointment of Dr Rotich to the hospital’s board.
The appointments took effect from April 2, 2026.
