Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has responded to critics after President William Ruto removed him from the board of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, April 2. Nyakera made it clear that he was unbothered by the decision, dismissing claims that he had suffered a major loss.
“For the bloggers celebrating my removal from the KICC board, let me educate you,” Nyakera stated in a message.
President Ruto revoked Nyakera’s appointment as part of a broader shake-up in government positions. His dismissal came at a time when he had started openly criticizing the government.
A gazette notice published on Tuesday, April 1, confirmed the appointment of Samuel Waweru Mwangi as the new chairperson of KICC for a three-year term.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 43 (1) (a) of the Tourism 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 Samuel Waweru Mwangi to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre for a period of three (3) years, effective from April 1, 2025. The appointment of Irungu Nyakera is revoked,” the notice read.
Following his dismissal, Nyakera downplayed the significance of the position, explaining that it was neither financially rewarding nor influential.
“Under the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) guidelines, a board chair earns a net honorarium of Ksh54,000 per month, plus Ksh7,000 for airtime,” he revealed.
“The sitting allowance is Ksh14,000 per meeting, with a maximum of 10 meetings a year. There are no pension benefits, no extra perks, and no executive powers,” he added.
Nyakera dismissed online critics who suggested that his removal was a major setback for him.
“Most chairpersons take up these roles to serve, not to survive. So, keep blogging and make your Ksh527 per day,” he quipped.
His removal signals a strategic shift in the leadership of KICC, a key institution in Kenya’s tourism and business sectors.
Nyakera, who was appointed in 2024, had pledged to transform KICC into a top destination for conference tourism. However, his tenure was cut short before he could fully implement his vision.
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