Ruto makes key reappointments across state boards

President William Ruto/PCS

President William Ruto has made reappointments to key boards and advisory bodies across major government agencies and institutions. 

The appointments were made through a gazette notice dated February 20, 2026.

They cover a range of organisations involved in development, research, tourism, youth, and women's empowerment.

In the notice, Ruto re-appointed Mzee Mwinyi Mzee as the non-executive Chairperson of the board of directors of the Coast Development Authority.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 (1) (a) of the Coast Development Authority Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, re-appoint Mzee Mwinyi Mzee as a Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Coast 

Development Authority, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 20th February, 2026," the notice reads.

The authority is tasked with promoting economic growth, infrastructure development, and sustainable resource management along Kenya’s coast.

Similarly, Samson Kipkoech Some was re-appointed as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Tourism Fund Board under the Tourism Act (Cap. 381). 

The Board oversees the management of funds that support the tourism sector, a key contributor to Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings and employment.

The tenure will last for three years.

In the health research sector, Dr Abdillahi Ibrahim was re-appointed as the non-executive chairperson of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Board of Directors, under the State Corporations Act and the Kenya Medical Research Institute Order, 2021. 

KEMRI plays a critical role in public health research, vaccine development, and evidence-based policy formulation.

Sophy Nekoye Waliaula was re-appointed as the non-executive chairperson of the Youth Advisory Board under the National Youth Council Act, providing continued leadership in shaping policies and programs that enhance youth participation in national development.

Meanwhile, Dr Jane Langat was re-appointed as the non-executive chairperson of the Women Enterprise Fund Advisory Board under the Government Financial Management (Women Enterprise Fund) Regulations, 2007. 

"In exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 5 (1) (a) of the Government Financial Management (Women Enterprise Fund) Regulations, 2007, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, reappoint— Jane Langat (DR.) as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Women Enterprise Fund Advisory Board, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 20th February, 2026," the gazette notice said.

The fund supports women-led enterprises and promotes financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, making leadership continuity vital.

All re-appointments are effective from February 20 2026, for three years.

The re-appointments are particularly significant in sectors like coastal development, tourism, health research, and youth and women empowerment.