Ruto Appoints Aisha Jumwa to Roads Board, CS Tuya Picks Millicent Omanga

President William Ruto has appointed former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa to be the non-executive chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board. This marks a continued rewarding of allies.

At the same time, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has picked Millicent Omanga as a member of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Shipyard Limited.

In a Gazette notice dated January 17, Ruto said she would serve in the position for a period of three years with effect from the appointment date.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7 (1) (a) of the Kenya Roads Board Act, as read together with Section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Aisha Jumwa Katana to be the non-executive Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from January 17, 2025,” the notice read.

The President revoked the appointment of Ahmed Kolosh Mohamed.

Jumwa was booted from the Cabinet in July alongside other CSs. She, however, was among eight other cabinet secretaries who did not receive a nod to return to Cabinet.

Tuya’s appointment of Omanga marks the third attempt for Ruto to appoint her to the government. Her tenure started on January 14 according to the gazette notice.

In October last year, President Ruto appointed the former nominated Senator to serve as a member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission. The commission, chaired by former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, was established to oversee the restoration and rehabilitation of Nairobi’s rivers.

However, on October 26, Omanga declined the appointment, citing personal reasons.

In March 2023, Ruto appointed Omanga as the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Interior. She was sworn into office on March 23, 2023.

However, in June 2023, the High Court declared the creation of the CAS positions unconstitutional, leading to the nullification of all 50 appointments, including Omanga’s. 

At the same time, CS Tuya reappointed Maryanne Karanja as a member of the Kenya Shipyard Board for three years.