Former Speaker Dismissed as Ruto Announces New State Appointments

President William Ruto has announced various appointments to several state agencies, according to a gazette notice dated Friday, January 9, 2026.

Among the appointments made by President Ruto is the reappointment of Dr. Stephen Mairori (Bishop) as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) for three years, effective January 20, 2026.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, re-appoint—STEPHEN MAIRORI (DR.) (BISHOP) to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 20th January, 2026,” read the notice.

Additionally, the Head of State reappointed Walter Nyambati as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of the Geothermal Development Company. This appointment is for a period of three years, effective January 9, 2026.

Daniel Chemno was reappointed as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union.

His appointment is for a period of three years, effective February 10, 2026.

Ruto and Several Cabinet Secretaries Make State Appointments

President Ruto also appointed Joseph Ogendo as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Trade Network Agency Board.

This appointment is effective from January 9, 2026, and runs until May 25, 2026.

Dennis Mwirigi was appointed as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency Board for three years, effective January 9, 2026.

Several Cabinet Secretaries also made state appointments, including the removal of former Nyandarua County Speaker James Wahome Ndegwa.

Also Read: Former Governor Included in Latest Appointments by Ruto and Cabinet Secretaries

His appointment as a Member of the Business Premises Rent Tribunal was revoked by Lee Kinyanjui, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, effective January 9, 2026.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 11 (1) of the Landlord and Tenant (Shops, Hotels and Catering Establishments) Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry revokes the appointment of—JAMES WAHOME NDEGWA as a Member of the Business Premises Rent Tribunal, with effect from the 9th January, 2026,” read the notice.

Also Read: Ruto Appoints Former KMTC CEO as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital Chairperson 

Profile of James Wahome Ndegwa

James Wahome Ndegwa is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, admitted to the bar on February 20, 1997.

He is the proprietor of Ndegwa Wahome & Co. Advocates, a firm he has led for nearly three decades.

He served as the founding Speaker of the Nyandarua County Assembly from 2013 to 2022.

His tenure was marked by significant infrastructure development, including relocating the assembly from a church hall to a modern facility.

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Cabinet secretaries during a meeting at the StateHouse
Photo/Duale/X