President William Ruto has appointed former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi as the new Non-Executive Chairperson of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), where he will serve a three-year term.
According to a government notice obtained by Newshub.co.ke, the President also reappointed former Tigania East Member of Parliament Joseph Muthuri as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). Muthuri will continue serving in the position for another three years.
The appointments, which were made on Friday, June 26, 2026, take immediate effect for Kiraitu Murungi, while Muthuri’s new term will officially begin on June 30, 2026.
Both leaders are expected to serve for equal three-year periods as they oversee the operations of their respective state agencies.
As part of the changes, President Ruto revoked the appointment of Charles Mahinda, who had been serving as the Chairperson of the Competition Authority’s Board of Directors.
The official gazette notice stated: “I, William Ruto, appoint Kiraitu Murungi to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Competition Authority for a period of three years, with effect from June 26, 2026.”
Murungi’s appointment marks his return to public service after years of holding several senior leadership positions in both the national and county governments.
He previously served as the Governor of Meru County and has also held various Cabinet positions during his long political career.
During the administration of former President Mwai Kibaki, Murungi served as the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs from 2003 to 2005.
He was later appointed Minister for Energy, a position he held until 2013, where he played a key role in implementing government energy policies and reforms.
In his new role at the Competition Authority of Kenya, Murungi will provide strategic direction to the Board of Directors and oversee the institution’s governance.
The Authority is mandated to enforce competition laws, investigate anti-competitive business practices, prevent the abuse of market dominance, and promote fair competition across different sectors of the economy.
While the board provides oversight and policy direction, the day-to-day management of the Authority will remain under its executive leadership.
Meanwhile, Joseph Muthuri will continue leading the board of KEPHIS, the government agency responsible for safeguarding Kenya’s agricultural sector.
The institution plays a crucial role in plant health inspection, seed certification, pest and disease control, and ensuring that planting materials distributed to farmers meet the required quality and safety standards.
His reappointment is expected to provide continuity in the agency’s leadership as it continues supporting the country’s agricultural development.
In a separate appointment, President Ruto also reappointed Stanley Kiptis as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). Kiptis will serve another three-year term, with his reappointment taking effect from June 26, 2026.
The latest appointments are part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen leadership in state corporations and public institutions.
By appointing and reappointing experienced leaders to key positions, the administration aims to enhance governance, improve service delivery, and ensure that government agencies effectively carry out their mandates in support of national development.
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