NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has reappointed Feisal Abass as the non-executive Chairperson of the Privatization Commission for a new three-year term, signaling continuity in the government’s push to reform state-owned enterprises through privatization.
The appointment was confirmed in a gazette notice dated July 18, 2025.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 (1) (a) of the Privatisation Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, reappoint Feisal Abass to be the non-executive Chairperson of the Privatisation Commission, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 18th July, 2025,” the notice read.
Abass’s reappointment comes at a critical time for the Commission, which is tasked with steering the government’s privatisation programme to improve efficiency and reduce the public sector burden on the national budget.
The Privatisation Commission—established under the Privatisation Act of 2005—is mandated to advise the government on divesting from public corporations and to oversee the implementation of approved transactions.
Seasoned leader in public and private sectors
Abass brings more than 20 years of leadership experience, having served on the boards of major state corporations including Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), the Geothermal Development Company (GDC), and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the American University in Cairo and an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi.
Abass previously chaired the Policyholders Compensation Fund (PCF), where he led governance reforms and contributed to strengthening institutional accountability.
Notably, he played a significant role in facilitating KenGen’s listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange—an achievement that underscored his commitment to driving state-owned enterprises toward more transparent and market-driven operations.
Continuity and reform
Abass was first appointed as Chair of the Privatisation Commission in July 2022 by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta.
His retention by President Ruto’s administration reinforces the government’s focus on continuity and reform in the management of public assets.
The Commission has since transitioned into the Privatisation Authority as part of ongoing institutional restructuring, with renewed focus on revamping underperforming parastatals and creating space for private sector participation.
With his renewed mandate, Abass is expected to lead the Authority through the next phase of Kenya’s privatisation strategy—balancing economic efficiency with public interest.
