Odoyo Owidi Fired as CSs Make Radical Shake-Up in State Agencies
The government has initiated a sweeping reorganization of top leadership in several state agencies, with Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muriithi revoking the appointment of Odoyo Owidi as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency.
In a gazette notice issued on Friday, CS Muriithi announced that Daniel Omino had been appointed to replace Owidi for a term of three years.
“The appointment of Odoyo Owidi is revoked,” read the official notice.
Owidi, a vocal political analyst and regular commentator on national television, was among the first Luo Nyanza leaders to publicly endorse President William Ruto ahead of the 2022 General Election. Once a member of the ODM party, he resigned prior to the election citing concerns over internal transparency. He also previously chaired the Lake Basin Development Authority.
The latest reshuffle reflects a broader reorganization spearheaded by various Cabinet Secretaries, affecting multiple state agencies:
- Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi appointed Martha Nyangwaria to the Board of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and Anne Michura to the Board of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency. Both appointments are for three years, effective May 16, 2025.
- Education CS Julius Migosi named Eugene Masombo to the Board of Trustees for the President’s Award scheme, also for a three-year term starting May 16.
- Agriculture and Livestock CS Mutahi Kagwe appointed Wario Yattani and re-appointed George Odhiambo Oballa to the Board of the Kenya Animal Genetics Resource Centre, each for a three-year term.
- Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho appointed Francis Njoroge to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute board.
- ICT CS William named Leah Manyarkiy, Christopher Matseshe Naicca, and Dominic Salvio Kariuki Wambugu as new members of the ICT Authority Board, revoking the appointments of Annette Mutuku, Alfred Ngeno, and Michael Njogu Wachira.
- Water CS Eric Muriithi also appointed Jackson Mwenda to the Board of the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training, and Research in Eastern Africa.
- Gender and Culture CS Hanna Cheptumo, in her first round of appointments, selected Addullahi Nur Sheikh to join the National Heroes Council.
- East African Community CS Beatrice Askul Jattani was appointed to serve on the Board of the National Drought Management Authority.
The reshuffle marks a significant shift in state corporation leadership, widely seen as part of President Ruto’s continued consolidation of loyalty and performance-driven service delivery across key government sectors.
In other news:4 Suspects Arrested Over Allegations of Killing Kenyan Fishermen
Odoyo Owidi Fired as CSs Make Radical Shake-Up in State Agencies