Ruto and Raila deal to shake up parastatal heads, top diplomats

A major shakeup looms in Kenya’s 290 parastatals and diplomatic missions, the Star can reveal.

The impending overhaul has been triggered by the Ruto-Raila handshake of March 7 that created a broad-based government.

And to accommodate nominees from Raila Odinga’s wing, President William Ruto is expected to ring changes that will see new parastatal CEOs and chairpersons.

The changes will also affect Kenya’s diplomatic missions across the globe.

Highly placed sources say the focus is shifting to state corporations and changes are expected in the ranks of chief executives, board chairpersons and board members.

The Star has established that officials whose terms are set to expire are low-hanging fruit ripe for replacement so the President can effect the changes.

A purge, especially targeting parastatals with major financial problems, is also on the cards.

Leadership of parastatals that drive critical sectors like energy, transport, health and agriculture are high-stakes positions.

The details emerged just days after Ruto handed Raila’s allies key jobs, putting the former Prime Minister at the heart of power with a major role in naming parastatal and other replacements.

Raila has at least five Cabinet Secretaries and 13 Principal Secretaries.

Apart from parastatals, the two leaders will also appoint ambassadors or high commissioners and their deputies, rewarding their allies with plum jobs.

Kenya has almost 70 foreign missions. Apart from nominating the ambassador or high commissioner, the head of state also can appoint deputy heads of mission.

In state corporations, the tenure of top office bearers will expire in a number of key agencies.

At the Teachers Service Commission CEO, hailed as highly influential and lucrative, is also up for replacement with the expiry of Nancy Macharia’s term.

Kenya Urban Roads Authority director-general Silas Kinoti was confirmed in September 2020, hence, he has only five months left to serve.

Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission selection panel has interviewed the Kenya Power chairperson Joy Mdivo for appointment to head the agency.

Should the hiring panel select her either as chairperson or commissioner, the Kenya Power post would be open for recruitment.

Kenya Power CEO Joseph Siror was appointed May 2023 for a three-year term. His tenure is due to expire next year in May.

Kenya Ports Authority chairman Benjamin Tayari’s term is scheduled to end on January 13, 2026.

A new appointment could signal Raila’s influence, given his coastal political interests.

KPA managing director William Ruto was appointed in March 2023 for three-year term.

KPA workers recently demanded an extension of his tenure for another term on account of a stellar job.

National Oil Corporation CEO and MD Gideon ole Morintat’s term ends in less than a year.

His term concludes early 2026, at a time when the government is keen to roll out crucial energy plans.

Recently, President Ruto appointed former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria as chairman of the Agricultural Development Corporation.

The new leadership is expected to focus on broad-based reform and to drive agricultural revitalisation programmes.

The head of state also appointed George Wanga as chairman of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

In what could expose an unfolding plot, Raila already secured the KRA chairmanship job for his ally, Ndiritu Muriithi.

The former Laikipia governor, whose tenure began in December, has been positioned to help Ruto unlock the taxation discord. Ketraco CEO John Mativo has until April 2026 to serve.

The Social Health Authority’s CEO is serving in an acting capacity, as is the Kenya Airports Authority chairperson Caleb Kositany.

Robert Ingasira took over from Elijah Wachira who was suspended as SHA chief executive at the height of the falling out between Ruto and then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached and expelled from office in October last year.

The Kenya Rural Roads Authority MD Philemon Kandie has been facing court battles in an onslaught to push him out.

Kandie was at the helm at KeRRa, in an acting capacity for two years before his appointment for a five-year term in April 2022.

Pundits say the impending transitions present an opportunity for Ruto not only to reposition key agencies but also potentially to accommodate political allies.

Ruto and Raila, in their speeches, have signalled a commitment to broad-based governance reforms.

This has elevated questions about which state corporations could have new leaders in the coming months.

Historically, changes at the top have reflected political strategy as much as administrative needs.

On assuming power, President Ruto kicked up a storm amid accusations that he flooded the agencies with his cronies and ethnic stalwarts.

Lists circulated showing how the appointments were skewed in favour of communities whose leaders held power.

With Ruto and Raila emphasising unity and reform, observers are watching to see whether replacements will prioritise competence and regional balance.

The big question is whether the ODM leader’s allies will secure seats in traditionally government-held parastatals.

Ruto may also balance appointments to appease Mt Kenya, Rift Valley and Raila’s Western and Nyanza bases.

While some changes will be routine, others, especially in transport, energy, and agriculture, could hint at the coalition’s long-term viability.