Ruto Announces Leadership Re-Appointments Within 4 State Agencies
President William Ruto has announced a fresh round of re-appointments to key state agencies and government corporations, in a move aimed at reinforcing leadership continuity and strengthening institutional performance across critical sectors of the economy.
The changes, contained in a gazette notice dated Friday, April 17, 2026, affect top leadership positions in at least four state agencies spanning the energy, regional development, export, and industrial sectors. The re-appointments signal the administration’s intention to retain experienced leadership as it pushes forward with its policy agenda.
Among those reappointed is Godfrey Lemiso, who will continue serving as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC). Lemiso, first appointed in 2023, will now serve an additional three-year term effective April 20, 2026.
“In exercise of the powers conferred to me, I, William Samoei Ruto, re-appoint Godfrey Lemiso as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation with effect from April 20, 2026,” the gazette notice read in part.
His continued tenure is expected to provide strategic oversight in the expansion of electricity access and renewable energy development, key pillars in the government’s infrastructure and sustainability agenda.
Also retained is Samuel Sakita Kuata, who will serve another three-year term as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Ewaso Ng’iro South River Basin Development Authority. His reappointment took effect on April 17, 2026, in line with the governing statute of the authority.
Sakita, who was first appointed in 2023, is tasked with overseeing development programmes within the river basin, including water resource management, agricultural support, and regional economic initiatives aimed at boosting livelihoods.
In the export sector, Richard Cheruiyot has been reappointed as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) for another three-year term beginning April 20, 2026.
Cheruiyot’s continued leadership comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to expand its manufacturing base and increase export volumes through special economic zones. His role will involve guiding policy direction and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks governing export-oriented investments.
Meanwhile, Adan Mohammed has been reappointed as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Leather Development Council for a further three-year term effective April 17, 2026.
The council plays a critical role in developing Kenya’s leather value chain, an area the government has identified as having significant potential for job creation and industrial growth.
“These reappointments reflect a deliberate strategy to maintain continuity while advancing key government programmes across sectors,” a policy analyst familiar with state corporation governance noted.
At the same time, the move underscores the importance of board leadership in shaping institutional performance, particularly in sectors that directly impact economic growth and service delivery.
However, governance experts have also emphasised the need for continued transparency and performance evaluation to ensure that reappointed officials deliver measurable results in their renewed mandates.
As the new terms take effect, attention will now shift to how the reappointed leaders steer their respective institutions in addressing sector-specific challenges, from expanding energy access and managing water resources to boosting exports and industrial development.
The gazette notice formalising the changes signals the administration’s commitment to sustaining momentum within state agencies, even as it navigates a complex economic and policy landscape.
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Ruto Announces Leadership Re-Appointments Within 4 State Agencies
