President William Ruto has reappointed four members to the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) for a new three-year term, which will begin on February 4, 2026, according to his decision published in the Kenya Gazette on January 30.
The reappointments—Ahmed Abdi Rashid, Mary Murangi Mugo, Claire Sifuna Wanyama, and Caroline Cherono Kilisha—reaffirm the leadership of the powerful oversight body tasked with advising the government on the establishment, reorganization, operation, and dissolution of state corporations. The critics claim that the decision now brings new political examination because King Kenya needs to fulfill public demands, which will increase before the 2027 general election.
The SCAC plays a crucial role because it determines how Kenya governs its entire parastatal system, which includes state-run businesses that provide essential services such as infrastructure, energy, transportation, and industrial regulation services. The body’s mandate also extends to offering guidance on board appointments and the terms of service for senior management across public entities—a function critics argue can be highly political given looming resource constraints and calls for corporate reform.
Some analysts believe that President Ruto chose to keep current board members because he wants to maintain organizational stability during significant changes. State corporations have been under pressure to improve efficiency, reduce pending bills, and align performance with national development goals. The SCAC process has become a political matter because its operating structure determines how powerful these organizations will become.
The government currently faces increasing public pressure to scrutinize parastatal operations and their responsibility to the public because of the ongoing corruption and budgetary efficiency and service delivery shortfall discussions. Critics contend that strong oversight bodies are essential, but they question whether the reappointments will preserve existing interests or drive institutional change.
The president holds power through Section 26(1)(e) of the State Corporations Act to choose or dismiss committee members as needed according to established rules that protect SCAC functions. Supporters of the move argue that experienced members are needed to navigate complex governance challenges that state‑linked enterprises currently face.
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