President William Ruto has made a new round of appointments to key government agencies, with his Cabinet Secretaries also busy filling seats across the public service. The changes were published in a Kenya Gazette notice on Friday, October 16, 2026, and the appointments are set to run for three years.
The biggest name in the notice is Dr Simon Gicharu, who has been reappointed as the non-executive chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). Ruto signed the appointment under the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Act, and it takes effect from the same day the notice was issued. Dr Gicharu’s return means KICD keeps the same leadership at a time when the education sector is still adjusting to the reforms rolled out in recent years.
Over at the Trade Ministry, Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui named Esther Njeri Ngari as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). The bureau is the country’s main body for setting and enforcing product standards, so the job carries real weight for businesses, importers and consumers who depend on quality checks.
In the Interior Ministry, CS Kipchumba Murkomen reappointed Nelson Dzuya as a member of the Public Benefit Organisations Regulatory Authority. The authority oversees charities and non-profit organisations, and keeping experienced members on board is seen as important for consistency in how these groups are regulated.
Education CS Julius Ogamba also made his own moves. He picked Prof Peter Wanyande to chair the Council of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), and Geoffrey Nafukho Omulayi to sit on the Council of Moi University. Both appointments run for three years.
Ruto also appointed former Principal Secretary Nelson Marwa as chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission for a three-year term. The move replaces Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, whose appointment has now been cancelled. The Nairobi Rivers Commission handles the cleaning and restoration of the rivers running through the capital, a job that has been on the table for many years.
The biggest team in the notice belongs to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. CS Salim Mvurya unveiled a 40-member team that will prepare Kenya for the joint hosting of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The Local Organising Committee will be led by Antony Emmanuel Inzahuli Lung’aho, who is currently the Head of Secretariat.
Most of the team also worked on the advisory group that organised the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania co-hosted. That experience should help the committee move faster, since many of the members already know how regional tournaments are run.
These appointments come as the country gears up for the 2027 General Elections. Watchers say the government is working to fill key positions with people it trusts, and the timing has led to conversations about whether some of these agencies will have stable leadership through the election period. For now, the appointments are in place, and Kenyans will be keen to see how the new leaders deliver on their mandates.
