President William Ruto has orchestrated a leadership reshuffle, appointing former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero as Chairperson of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC).
The move, formalised in a gazette notice dated Friday, November 15, comes at the expense of Hussein Tene Debasso, whose appointment was revoked. Kidero will now oversee the government’s trade operations for three years, effective immediately.
The Kenya National Trading Corporation plays a critical role in stabilising consumer prices and managing the government’s procurement processes. With its expansive warehousing and logistics network, KNTC has long been seen as a cornerstone in ensuring efficient distribution of goods.
Ruto’s decision to place Kidero at the helm signals a calculated effort to revitalise the corporation’s operations amidst Kenya’s evolving economic challenges.
Kidero makes a come back to public service, after President Ruto’s plan to appoint him as a Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Trade failed.
As Nairobi’s first governor, he served from 2013 to 2017 under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Despite his efforts to secure a second term, he lost to Jubilee Party’s Mike Sonko. A further attempt at governance in Homa Bay County during the 2022 elections also ended in defeat, with ODM’s Gladys Wanga clinching the seat.
The fallout with ODM leader Raila Odinga became apparent after the party handed Wanga a direct ticket for the Homa Bay gubernatorial race, sidelining Kidero. The former governor publicly criticised ODM, accusing it of prioritising protests over governance. His shift to UDA marked a new chapter, cementing his political allegiance to Ruto’s administration.
Beyond politics, Kidero’s tenure as Nairobi governor was marred by corruption allegations. In 2019, he faced graft charges over irregular payments amounting to Ksh68 million. Despite these controversies, his appointment reflects a broader strategy by Ruto to consolidate experienced figures into state roles.
The reshuffle extended beyond Kidero’s appointment. Ruto named Dr. Thuo Mathenge as Chairperson of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, replacing Peter Weru Kinyua. Similarly, Dr. Wenwa Akinyi Oranga was tapped to lead the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute. These moves align with the President’s vision of aligning key institutions with his administration’s priorities.
Mark Kosgei Chesergon now leads the Kerio Valley Development Authority, while Dr. Nuh Nassir Abdi assumes the role of Chairperson at the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre. In Nairobi, Anab Mohamed Gur has been appointed to the Nairobi Rivers Commission, a body integral to addressing the capital’s environmental challenges.
