Ruto Appoints Rashid Echesa, Silas Jakakimba and Retired Air Force Major to State Positions

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rashid Echesa has been appointed the Chairperson of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, effective immediately.

Labour and Social Protection CS Alfred Mutua announced the appointment in a gazette notice dated November 29, stating that Echesa will hold the position until May 2026.

Echesa, who serves as the Chairman of the Kenya Water Tower Agency, will replace former Bura MP Ali Wario, whose appointment has been revoked. Wario had been appointed to the role by former Labour CS Florence Bore.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 28 (1) and (2) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection appoints— Rashid Echesa to be the Chairperson of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, with effect from the 29th November, 2024 up to 18th May, 2026.

The appointment of Ali Wario is revoked,” the gazette notice reads.

ADVERTISEMENT

Similarly, President William Ruto has appointed retired Kenya Air Force Commander Major General Jofidha Otieno Makowenga as the Chairperson of the Kenya Space Agency Board, for a period of three years, with effect from November 29.

Munanie Mbatha, Mwango Kitsao Kalu and Philip Osano will sit on the Kenya Space Agency board as members, for the next three years, in an appointment made by Defence CS Soipan Tuya.

Otieno takes over from General (Rtd) James Aruasa, the inaugural Chairperson of the Board of Directors. The choice to keep the position within the military is strategic, with space being a crucial area for both security and communications of the country.

Silas Chepkeres Jakakimba, the ex-senior advisor to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has also landed a state appointment as a board member of the South Nyanza Sugar Company.

His appointment follows the revocation of Eric Osenya’s appointment and is effective November 29, 2024.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development appoints— SILAS JAKAKIMBA as a member of the Board of Directors of South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited, with effect from the 29th November, 2024.

“The appointment of Eric Osenya is revoked.”

Echesa and Jakakimba will serve in these new roles for the next three years.

Before this appointment, Jakakimba who is a lawyer by profession also served as an advisor to Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga before he quit shortly after openly showing support for President Ruto.

Source: afrinews