President William Ruto has made new government appointments, naming 14 individuals to various key positions, including several Cabinet Secretaries and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Chairperson, Faith Odhiambo.
In a gazette notice released recently, President Ruto appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe, and Environment CS Deborah Barasa to serve as members of the newly formed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Council.
This council will manage and strengthen the economic relationship between Kenya and the European Union (EU). Notably, Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui will serve as the co-chair of the Council.
The main purpose of forming the EPA Council is to ensure smooth cooperation between Kenya, as part of the East African Community (EAC), and the EU, while safeguarding Kenya’s economic interests as agreed upon in the trade deal.
This council is expected to play a critical role in guiding the implementation of the agreement and ensuring Kenya benefits fully from the partnership.
The Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the EU was officially signed in May 2024 at State House, Nairobi. The event was graced by the European Union delegation led by Ambassador Henriette Geiger.
During the signing ceremony, President Ruto expressed strong confidence in the agreement, stating that it would bring meaningful benefits to Kenya. He emphasized that the deal would open new doors for trade and investment, boosting economic growth and creating job opportunities.
As per the terms of the agreement, all exports from Kenya to the EU—except for arms—will enter the European market duty-free and without any quotas. In return, Kenya has committed to gradually opening up its market to selected goods from EU member countries.
Alongside these major appointments to the EPA Council, President Ruto also named eight members to the Selection Panel responsible for overseeing the recruitment of nominees for the position of Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Among those appointed to the panel is Faith Odhiambo, the current chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya.
Other individuals named to the panel include Joe Ager (former chair of KUCCPS), Lawrence Muiruri, Jackline Nekesa Makokha, and Irene Cherotich Asienga. Also appointed are Kathurima Hiram Kirimi, Catherine Wameyo, and Kenneth Wyne Mutuma.
This development follows the death of the Commission’s former chairperson, Roseline Odhiambo Odede, who passed away in January 2025 after a brief illness.
The appointments are in line with the legal requirements, which stipulate that members of the Selection Panel must be nominated by several key institutions.
These include the Office of the President, the Office of the Attorney-General, KNCHR, LSK, FIDA-Kenya, NGEC, and the Public Service Commission. Additionally, the panel includes two nominees from the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA).
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Faith Odhiambo confirmed that she was nominated to the panel by APSEA and expressed her readiness to help in identifying the most suitable candidates for the role.
According to the guidelines, the panel must, within seven days of its first sitting, invite applications from qualified individuals for the position. It must also publish the list of applicants and their qualifications in the Kenya Gazette and two nationally circulated newspapers.
Within another seven days, the panel will vet the applicants, conduct interviews, and shortlist at least three top candidates. These names will then be submitted to the President for final nomination.
In a separate appointment, President Ruto also announced Isaac Muthure Macharia as the new Chancellor of Karatina University.
He will serve in this position for a five-year term, contributing to the development and leadership of the institution.
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