Irungu Nyakera took over as chairperson of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) board on Tuesday, May 16 after he was appointed by President William Ruto on Monday, May 15.
Nyakera had held different leadership positions in both private and public sectors but his major achievements include pushing for the removal of Cherera 4 Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners from office.
On September 9, 2022, Nyakera filed a petition in Parliament seeking for the removal of Juliana Cherera and 3 other IEBC commissioners - Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit and Justus Nyang'aya
He is also the party leader for the Farmers Party, an affiliate of Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Justus Nyanga'ya, Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi were the three commissioners who alongside IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera, opposed chairperson Wafula Chebukati's declaration of William Ruto as president-elect.
The former Transport PS, Irungu Nyakera, formally submitted the petition to remove the four commissioners in Parliament on Friday, September 9.
"Yes, we are seeking for the removal of Cherera and others who we accused of violation of office," Oscar Kimani, the party's Head of Communications told Kenyans.co.ke.
Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang’aya and Francis Wanderi resigned, a few days after President Ruto formed a tribunal to investigate them.
On the other hand, Irene Masit, faced the tribunal to defend herself but tribunal recommended for her removal from office.
Farmers party signed an agreement with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and other affiliate party in the Kenya Kwanza coalition prior to the 2022 general elections.
In March 2023, Nyakera accepted the UDA merger with other smaller parties within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“This is the option our partners had and chose a strong, stable, national, majority, Conservative party that is focused on building the nation and generations to come than just winning an election,” stated the UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala after signing the merger deal.
Political parties that joined UDA included the Umoja na Maendeleo party led by former Embu Governor Martin Wambora, Farmers Party, Chama cha Kazi, Chama cha Mashinani, National Agenda Party of Kenya, and Economic Freedom Party.
On April 9, 2023 Nyakera urged the Kenya Kwanza administration to contain its spending and lower the cost of living.
He stated that most government institutions were not profitable and the government should seek a way out to avoid wasting public money.
"We have to cut spending, stop running budget deficits, stop any new projects and use money to pay pending bills, support the shilling by restricting imports, reduce wage bill, implement parastatal reforms, and put the economy before politics," Nyakera said.
Nyakera who started his career as a teacher in 2002, served in various leadership positions before becoming the chairperson of KEMSA board.
As a student at Stanford University in 2005, Nyakera served as quality control manager for the Stanford Center For Professional Development.
He had held various senior government positions in the past, including being the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure from 2015 to 2018.
He was the Managing Director at Equity Investment Bank from 2014 to 2015.
From March 2013 to July 2014, he served as the regional head, East and Southern Africa for frontier markets fund managers, Guarantco
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Science Engineering from Stanford University.
