Ruto Shocks Kenya by Revoking Key Government Appointments!

President William Ruto has annulled the appointments of two government figures.

In an official gazette notice, Ruto announced the removal of Joe Owaka Ager as the chair of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya’s Board of Directors. The notice stated that Ruto exercised his authority under Section 6(1)(a) of the State Corporations Act, in conjunction with Section 51(1) of the Interpretations and General Provisions Act. Owaka’s resignation as chair took effect on January 31, 2025.

Owaka, who was also the chair of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) Placement Board from 2018 to 2021, has had a long career in government. A known ally of Raila Odinga, he previously served as General Manager of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) from 2010 to 2015. More recently, he was named as an advisor by Ruto, taking on the role of Secretary of Governance. This appointment came after Ruto’s pledge to cut down the number of advisors, as part of his austerity strategy.

The second revocation involved Kiema Mwandia, who was removed from his position on the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency Board. Mwandia, a close supporter of Ruto, also holds the role of UDA county coordinator in Kitui.

These moves follow a recent action by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who rescinded the appointment of Francis Meja to the Council of Murang’a University of Technology. Meja, who had been the Director General of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), saw his appointment overturned after he was sworn in to the Public Service Commission (PSC) in January 2025, following Ruto’s nomination in December 2024.