President Ruto Announces New Appointments: Kibochi, Gumbo, and Others Take Key Roles

President William Ruto has appointed former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General (Rtd) Robert Kibochi, as the chairperson of the board of the Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital. The appointment, effective November 22, 2024, is for a three-year term, as stated in a gazette notice.

General Kibochi, a retired Kenya Army officer, served in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for over 40 years, rising through various leadership roles to become the 10th Chief of Defence Forces from May 2020 to May 2023. He succeeded Gen. Samson Mwathethe, who had previously taken over from Gen. Julius Karangi.

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In the same notice, President Ruto appointed former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo as the chairperson of the Kenya Sugar Board. Gumbo’s three-year term will also commence on November 22, 2024. Notably, Gumbo was previously nominated to the Kenya Kwanza government as Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Roads and Transport, though the position did not materialize.

Former Kesses MP Swarup Mishra was named chairperson of the Kenya Biovax Institute Limited for a similar three-year tenure. Dr. Mishra, a medical doctor and obstetrics and gynecology specialist, has previously lectured at Moi University.

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Additionally, Ruto appointed five officials to represent Kenya on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Council. The appointees include Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, and Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (National Treasury), Andrew Karanja (Agriculture), Aden Duale (Environment and Forestry), and Salim Mvurya (Investment and Trade).

The EPA is a trade and development framework between the European Union and African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) nations, aimed at fostering economic collaboration.