President William Ruto has appointed former Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Pyrethrum Processing Company in the latest round of government appointments.
Through a gazette notice, Samboja was one of three Ruto appointees and is set to serve at the helm for three years.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 of the State Corporations Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint—Granton Samboja to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya, for a period of three (3) years,” the notice read.
Samboja was the second Governor of Taita Taveta, serving from 2017 to 2022. He was elected on a Wiper Democratic Movement ticket.
During his time as Governor, Samboja survived an impeachment attempt after 30 out of 33 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted to impeach him, citing gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds. However, the Senate later cleared him of the allegations, allowing him to continue in office.
In 2022, Samboja vied for re-election but was trounced by current Governor Andrew Mwadime. With a media background, Samboja returned to the industry and currently hosts a gospel show on Anguo FM, which he owns, and serves as a preacher.
Aside from Samboja, Ruto also commissioned former Lieutenant General Adan Mulata as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Service Council for a three-year period.
Mulata is currently the Executive Chairman of the Peace Prospect Institute-Africa (PPI-Africa). As a two-star General in the KDF, he had the opportunity to manage military operations, doctrine and training at all levels; matters of strategy and policy.
Later, as a three-star General, he was involved in handling strategic issues such as combatting terrorism, securing national elections, managing multi-agency coordination, and participating in various strategic national and regional discussions.
Notably, while serving in the Kenya Air Force, Mulata was involved in the 1982 coup after the coup leader, Hezekiah Ochuka, had ordered his execution by firing squad after he declined to fly a helicopter on that fateful day.
Another appointment made by Ruto was John Mwangi Karondo, who was appointed as a member of the State Corporations Advisory Committee for three years. His appointment triggered the revocation of Joseph Kimani Machiri.
