Jaoko Oburu Odinga, the son of Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga and a nephew to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has landed a prestigious position in President William Ruto’s administration.
On Tuesday, April 22, President Ruto officially appointed Jaoko as the Special Advisor for Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Executive Office of the President.
Jaoko shared the news through a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, expressing heartfelt appreciation to both President Ruto and Raila Odinga for supporting his journey.
“I would like to sincerely thank His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto for granting me this opportunity to serve the people of Kenya in my new role as Special Advisor on Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods. I am deeply honoured by this appointment,” he wrote.
He further acknowledged Raila Odinga, appreciating him for creating an environment that encourages unity and collaboration across political divides. “My gratitude also goes to the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Hon.
Raila Odinga, for believing in me and for fostering a spirit of inclusivity that allows all Kenyans, regardless of background, to work together for the betterment of our nation. Thank you, Sir. May God bless Kenya,” Jaoko added.
In his new role, Jaoko will play a strategic leadership and advisory role at a high level within the government.
His main focus will be on advancing economic inclusion and reducing poverty among marginalized, vulnerable, and underrepresented communities across Kenya.
Key Responsibilities and Role Scope
His core duties include policy advisory and strategic planning, where he will work closely with the President and other top government officials to develop and improve economic empowerment policies.
These policies are expected to prioritize job creation, entrepreneurship, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods, especially among the youth, women, and communities in need.
He will also be deeply involved in project oversight and coordination, ensuring effective execution of major government programs that support youth and women empowerment, access to microloans and public funds, development of the informal sector, promotion of green jobs, and community-based businesses.
This involves collaboration with various ministries such as the Treasury, Trade, and Labour, as well as county governments, civil society, and international development partners.
Another crucial aspect of his job will be resource mobilization and building partnerships. Jaoko will take the lead in attracting both local and international funding to support economic empowerment projects.
Additionally, he will build strategic alliances with private sector players, donor agencies, and NGOs to help scale up these initiatives.
Jaoko will also monitor and evaluate the impact of government efforts on economic inclusion. His work will involve tracking progress, ensuring decisions are based on reliable data, and regularly briefing the President on the success, gaps, and challenges facing various programs. He will be responsible for offering actionable solutions to improve results and efficiency.
Public Engagement and Advocacy
As part of his public-facing role, Jaoko will represent the President’s office in national and international forums, participating in key conferences and stakeholder discussions.
He will advocate for inclusive economic growth and push for programs that offer real solutions to everyday Kenyans.
Some of the practical programs he will help guide include the Hustler Fund and youth-oriented initiatives such as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA).
Jaoko’s Background
Before this appointment, Jaoko was actively involved in supporting Raila Odinga’s campaign to lead the African Union Commission (AUC), serving as the Global Chair of Friends of Baba Africa (FOBA) — a lobby group formed to rally backing for Raila’s candidacy.
In public service, Jaoko has served as the Director of Roads and Public Works in Siaya County during the leadership of Governor Cornel Rasanga.
In 2023, he was also among the shortlisted candidates for the role of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Coordinator by the Siaya County Public Service Board.
Jaoko’s new position reflects a significant political and strategic development, highlighting cross-party collaboration and the government’s growing focus on inclusive economic policies aimed at uplifting ordinary Kenyans.
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