NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto and several Cabinet Secretaries have announced fresh appointments to state agencies, university councils and public institutions, including a new chairperson for the Nairobi Rivers Commission and a 40-member team to oversee preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In a Gazette notice dated Friday, October 16, Ruto reappointed Dr Simon Gicharu as the non-executive chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) for a further three-year term.
The appointment took effect on October 16, 2026, under Section 5(2)(a) of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Act.
The President also appointed former Principal Secretary Nelson Marwa as chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission for three years, revoking the appointment of Bishop Margaret Wanjiru.
The changes form part of a wider round of appointments across government institutions as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Ogamba Makes Fresh University Council Appointments
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba appointed Professor Peter Wanyande as the non-executive chairperson of the Council of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) for a three-year term.
Ogamba also appointed Geoffrey Nafukho Omulayi as a member of the Council of Moi University for the same period.
The appointments place new leadership and membership responsibilities within the university governance structures as the institutions continue their operations.
KEBS Gets New Chief Executive Officer
In the Trade Ministry, Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui appointed Esther Njeri Ngari as the chief executive officer of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
The appointment adds to the changes announced across public institutions in the latest round of government notices.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reappointed Nelson Dzuya as a member of the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority.
The appointments were announced alongside other changes affecting state agencies and public bodies, with the relevant terms generally set at three years.
Mvurya Names 40-Member AFCON Preparations Team
The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs recorded the largest group of appointments in the latest announcement after Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya unveiled a 40-member Local Organising Committee (LOC) to coordinate preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The committee will be headed by Head of Secretariat Antony Emmanuel Inzahuli Lung’aho and will spearhead preparations for the continental football tournament.
According to Mvurya, most of the committee members previously served on the advisory team involved in organising the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was also co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The latest appointments bring together changes in education, public administration, standards regulation and sports, with the AFCON organising committee tasked with coordinating preparations for one of the region’s major sporting events.
