President William Ruto has revoked the appointments of two influential figures, marking a shift in the government’s leadership structure. The move, which took effect on January 31, 2025, highlights President Ruto’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate the management of parastatals and streamline the leadership of key state corporations.
The first individual whose appointment was rescinded is Joe Owaka Ager, who had been serving as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPC). The revocation was formalized through a Gazette Notice, with President Ruto exercising his powers under Section 6(1)(a) of the State Corporations Act. Owaka, a well-known ally of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has had a long career in public service, including serving as the Chair of the Placement Board for the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) from 2018 to 2021. He also held significant roles, such as General Manager at the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) and Chairperson of the National Mining Corporation, before his appointment to the Pyrethrum Processing Company. The decision to revoke Owaka’s appointment follows his recent appointment as one of President Ruto’s advisors and Secretary of Governance, suggesting that the reshuffle may be part of a broader strategy to realign his team for future endeavors.
The second individual affected by the reshuffle is Kiema Mwandia, a key figure in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the party behind President Ruto’s political success in the 2022 elections. Mwandia, who played a crucial role in the party’s campaign, had been serving as a member of the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency Board. The revocation of his appointment was also communicated through a Gazette Notice, with the President citing Section 51(1) of the Interpretations and General Provisions Act. Mwandia’s removal from the board underscores the ongoing changes in the leadership of various state agencies, a move that may be intended to ensure more efficient governance and accountability within the parastatal sector.
While President Ruto has not yet appointed replacements for Owaka and Mwandia, the revocations signal his intent to further consolidate power and streamline government operations. This reshuffle is part of a broader trend of leadership adjustments within key government agencies, as the president continues to implement his vision for Kenya’s political and economic future.
The revocation of these two appointments underscores the ongoing changes within the administration, and their future roles, if any, remain to be seen. As the leadership restructuring continues, it will be interesting to observe the potential new appointments and the impact of these shifts on government operations and political dynamics in Kenya.
