Silas Jakakimba, a former long-serving aide to opposition leader Raila Odinga, has officially landed a new position in government. He has been appointed to the Council of Kirinyaga University, as part of a wider restructuring effort in public universities led by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
Jakakimba’s appointment signals a fresh chapter in his public service career and sees him join other new council members: Ibrahim Khamis Mutwafy, Ursula Sabina Oyatsi, and Margaret Kathambi Gitonga. The changes aim to enhance leadership and governance across Kenyan universities, according to CS Ogamba.
The announcement was made through a Gazette Notice dated July 25, where Ogamba detailed sweeping changes affecting various university councils, including some of Kenya’s most prominent institutions such as the University of Nairobi (UoN), Moi University, and Kenyatta University.
At the University of Nairobi, Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha was named as the new Non-Executive Chairperson. He will serve alongside other newly appointed council members including Ambassador John Kakonge, Samuel Njuguna Kimani, Jonathan Ltipalei Lodompui, and Mary Amuyunzu.
These changes come at a time when UoN has been facing leadership and administrative challenges.
Moi University also experienced key appointments, with Mercy Ringa Njagi being added to the council. At Kenyatta University, two new members—Joash Mokamba Keraita and Isaac Opuya Litali—were brought on board.
CS Ogamba also reappointed retired Major General Bashir Yusuf and Alice Waruguru Muita to continue serving on the same council.
The University of Eldoret received new faces too, with Peter Onchari Kereri being reappointed and joined by newcomers Evelyne Timpiyan Legis and Razoah Vitisia to help steer the institution forward.
In addition to these changes, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) saw the reappointment of Cyrus Gituai as its Non-Executive Chairperson—a position that plays a crucial role in student admissions and placements across higher learning institutions.
Beyond the flagship universities, Ogamba’s restructuring extended to several other institutions. These include Laikipia University, Karatina University, Garissa University, Egerton University, Kisii University, Rongo University, Technical University of Kenya, South Eastern Kenya University, Taita Taveta University, and Murang’a University.
University colleges such as Bomet University College, Mama Ngina University College, and Nyandarua University College were also affected by the sweeping changes.
Notably, the reorganization efforts weren’t limited to the Ministry of Education. Other Cabinet Secretaries also made significant board appointments in their respective dockets.
In the Ministry of Sports, CS Salim Mvurya appointed Joseph Maina Njogu to the Board of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya. Similarly, Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui appointed Dorothy Kipkoech to the same board.
Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku added Brynes Mbogo to the National Youth Service (NYS) Council, while Health CS Aden Duale appointed Dabar Abdi Maalim as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Nursing Council of Kenya Board.
Over at the Ministry of ICT, CS William Kabogo retained the current Chairperson of the Media Council of Kenya along with its existing members. He also declared four new vacancies on the Council, inviting qualified Kenyans to apply and help shape media policy and standards in the country.
These appointments reflect an ongoing cabinet-level effort to improve governance, boost institutional performance, and inject fresh leadership into key public organizations and learning institutions.
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