Loyalists have gained key positions in President William Ruto’s administration, including former Narok Governor Samuel Tunai as KEMSA board chair.

This was announced in the gazette notice on Friday, August 23, following the abrupt removal of former Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera from the role, signaling Ruto’s intent to strengthen his leadership with loyal supporters.

Tunai, who previously served as Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, had his former role invalidated by the courts on constitutional grounds.

His new appointment to KEMSA underscores Ruto’s strategy of placing trusted allies in pivotal positions, despite the potential controversies.

Nyakera, whose stint at KEMSA was notably brief, has now been appointed as Chairman of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) board.

This move illustrates the fluid nature of Ruto’s administration, where roles are frequently reassigned.

Farida Karoney, former Lands Cabinet Secretary, has been named Chairperson of the National Lottery Board.

Her appointment reflects Ruto’s reliance on seasoned individuals from his previous administration.

Additionally, Prof. Jeremiah Nyabuti has been appointed to the Physical Planners Registration Board, continuing the trend of reassigning familiar faces to key roles.

The changes at KEMSA are particularly significant given the agency’s recent controversies.

Last year, the entire KEMSA board, along with Public Health PS Dr. Josephine Mburu and KEMSA CEO Terry Ramadhani, was suspended due to a scandal involving a Ksh4 billion mosquito net supply deal.

This scandal led to widespread calls for reform within the agency.

Ruto’s choice of Tunai as KEMSA’s Chairman appears to be a strategic move to regain control over the beleaguered organization.

However, it raises questions about the criteria for these appointments, especially considering Tunai’s previous unconstitutional role.

Why Ruto makes changes

Ruto frames these changes as part of his Bottom-Up Economic Agenda (BETA), attempting to contextualize them within a broader economic strategy.

The reshuffle has not been without controversy. Critics argue that Ruto is prioritizing loyalty over competence, reappointing individuals like Tunai and Nyakera despite their problematic pasts.

Other appointed loyalists

This comes after Moses Kuria thanked Deputy President Gachagua, with Ruto appointing him as senior adviser to bolster the economic agenda.

The recent inclusion of former loyalists Eliud Owalo and Moses Kuria in significant new roles further fuels concerns about political patronage.

Owalo’s promotion to Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance & Delivery Management is particularly notable, given his earlier unexpected dismissal as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication & Digital Economy.