Ruto Announces New State Appointments as Mudavadi and CSs Make Key Moves

President William Ruto has announced a series of new State appointments across various government institutions.

In a notice dated Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Head of State gazetted several key appointments and reappointments.

Among the appointments made by President Ruto is that of John Kipngetich Mosonik, who was named Chancellor of Rongo University for a five-year term.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 38(1)(a) of the Universities Act, 2012, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint John Kipngetich Mosonik (Dr.) (Eng.) to be the Chancellor of Rongo University for a period of five (5) years, with effect from 16th January 2026. Dated 16th January 2026,” read part of the notice.

Other appointments made by the Head of State include key reappointments, among them:

Hannah Waitherero Muriithi, who was re-appointed as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) for three years.
Phillip Mong’ony, re-appointed as Non-Executive Chairperson of the State Corporations Advisory Committee, while Muyumba Simon Indimuli was re-appointed as Secretary of the Board.

President Ruto, Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretaries Make Appointments

Elsewhere, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, alongside several Cabinet Secretaries, also made key appointments, including the constitution of selection panels for the recruitment of board members and trustees for various science and innovation agencies.

Also Read: Former Speaker Dismissed as Ruto Announces New State Appointments

Among the appointments made by Mudavadi include:

National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI):
A selection panel comprising Florence M’Mogi Olubayo (Chairperson), Daniel Oliech, George Nyakundi, Stephen Ikikii, Wairimu Njage, Evans A. Mukoye, and Benedict M. Mutua (TUK Vice Chancellor).
National Research Fund (NRF): A selection panel consisting of Amina Abubakar (Chairperson), Caroline C. Kiget, Seth Nyamweya Masese, Jona Wala, Jane Mwangi, Mary Gikungu, and James Kahindi.
Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA): A selection panel featuring Shukri Baramadi (Chairperson), Sally J. Tanui, Janet Kung’u, Michael A. Kagika, Ehud Gachugu, James Mwaluma, and Peninah Aloo-Oluoch.

Other Appointments

Treasury CS John Mbadi made the following appointments:

Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC): Re-appointed Hannah Waitherero Muriithi as a member of the Board of Directors for three years.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA): Appointed Risper Olick as a member of the Board of Directors for three years.

Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Trade, appointed Nelson Ributhi Gaichuhie as Member and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority for three years.

Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, re-appointed Melissa Ngania as a member of the Advisory Board of the Financial Inclusion Fund (Hustler Fund) for three years.

Also Read: Mbadi Makes Three New Appointments at KRA Board

Beatrice Askul Moe, Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development, re-appointed Benson Muema Kilonzo as a member of the Board of Directors of the Coast Development Authority for three years.

Deborah Mlongo Barasa, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, re-appointed Winnie Tsuma as a member of the National Environmental Tribunal for three years.

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