NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has nominated Lydia Sitienei Chelagat as Kenya’s next Data Commissioner, setting in motion the parliamentary approval process for the country’s top data-protection regulator.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Executive Office of the President said the nomination was made following a recommendation by the Public Service Commission and had been forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration under the Data Protection Act.
Chelagat is currently the Corporation Secretary and Director of Legal Services at the Communications Authority of Kenya. She was among 13 candidates shortlisted from 152 applicants for the role in September.
If approved by the National Assembly, she will succeed Immaculate Kassait, Kenya’s inaugural Data Commissioner, whose six-year term is coming to an end.
The Data Commissioner heads the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, which oversees compliance with Kenya’s data-protection law, safeguards privacy rights and regulates how institutions collect and process personal data.
Five state corporation CEOs named
The same statement announced five appointments to senior positions in state corporations, following what it described as competitive recruitment processes by the respective boards.
Waweru Karanja has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Privatization Authority, while Wakhungu Patrick Murunga will head the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training and Research in Eastern Africa.
Peninah Wangare Wahome has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, a key institution in the country’s campaign against doping in sport.
John Washington Agutu has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Housing Corporation, while Dr Janerose Omondi will serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Entrepreneurs Savings Trust.
The appointments come as the government continues to fill vacancies in key agencies responsible for privacy regulation, privatisation, housing, sports integrity, groundwater research and enterprise savings.
The Government Spokesperson, Charles Owino Wahong’o, said the appointments followed the recommendations of the Public Service Commission and the boards of the relevant state corporations.
