NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has reappointed Faith Boinett as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) for a further three-year term, even as the government effected changes at Kenyatta University’s governing council.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, December 19, President Ruto renewed Boinett’s tenure with effect from December 23, 2025, invoking powers under Section 6(1)(a) of the State Corporations Act.
“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) of the State Corporations Act, I, William Samoei Ruto… re-appoint FAITH BOINETT to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Pipeline Company Limited, for a period of three (3) years,” the notice reads.
Boinett was first appointed to the position in December 2022, succeeding Rita Achieng Okuthe. Her reappointment comes amid sustained public scrutiny over governance and accountability in State-owned corporations, particularly those operating in strategic sectors such as energy and petroleum logistics.
While the Presidency did not give reasons for retaining Boinett, State House has previously maintained that appointments to parastatal boards are guided by law, performance considerations, and continuity of leadership.
At the same time, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revoked the appointment of Professor Ben Chumo as Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Council, replacing him with Professor Clara Samiji Momanyi for a three-year term starting December 19, 2025.
“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 36 (1) of the Universities Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Education appoints… Clara Samiji Momanyi (Prof.) to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Council of the Kenyatta University,” Ogamba stated, adding that “the appointment of Ben Chumo (Dr) is revoked.”
The reshuffle marks a significant leadership change at one of Kenya’s largest public universities, which has in recent years faced governance disputes, court battles over land, and financial pressures linked to declining enrolment and funding constraints.
The latest decisions follow a series of appointments and reappointments announced in November, signalling a broader recalibration of leadership across State corporations and public institutions. On November 21, President Ruto appointed James Dianga as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA).
On the same day, CS Ogamba named Peter Keiyoro as Chairperson of the Tharaka University Council, while Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe reappointed John Mtuta Mruttu as Chairperson of the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC).
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi also appointed Francis Agar as a board member of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), pursuant to the Energy Act, 2019.
All the appointments were made for standard three-year terms, consistent with the State Corporations Act and sector-specific statutes governing public bodies.
Analysts note that while such appointments are routine, they often attract public attention due to concerns about political patronage, board effectiveness, and adherence to principles of transparency and merit under Article 232 of the Constitution, which outlines values of public service.
The government has defended its approach, insisting that institutional stability and continuity are critical to delivering on policy priorities, including infrastructure expansion, energy security, and higher education reforms.
As the new terms take effect, scrutiny is expected to intensify on how the appointees steer their respective institutions amid fiscal constraints, governance reforms, and rising public expectations for accountability in public service.
