NAIROBI — President William Ruto has revoked the appointment of former Chief of Defence Forces General (Rtd.) Julius Karangi in a fresh round of leadership changes across state corporations.
In a gazette notice issued on October 24, Ruto appointed Ali Wario as the new non-executive chairperson of the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), replacing Karangi, who has served in the position since 2019.
Wario’s term will run for three years, beginning immediately.
“I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Ali Wario to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Council for Population and Development Board, for a period of three years, with effect from 24th October, 2025. The appointment of Gen. (Rtd.) Julius Waweru Karangi is revoked,” read part of the notice.
Former Military Chief Leaves After a Decade in Civil Service
General Karangi, who retired from the military in 2015 after a four-year stint as the country’s top soldier, has since held several senior public roles. His removal marks the end of another chapter in a career that has straddled both the military and civilian service.
Karangi’s tenure at NCPD focused on population policy, reproductive health, and youth empowerment — key areas under the government’s Vision 2030 framework.
Fresh Faces Across Parastatals
The president also named Kirui Limo, a former Kipkelion East MP, as the new chairperson of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, created under the Gambling Control Act 2025. His appointment revokes that of Jane Mwikali Makau, who had served since 2022.
Makau has, however, been reassigned to head the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority, where she will serve another three-year term beginning October 24.
The reshuffle, which spans multiple ministries, has seen a string of new appointments signed off by Cabinet Secretaries Geoffrey Ruku, Julius Ogamba, Aden Duale, Davis Chirchir, Eric Mugaa, and William Kabogo.
Legal Sector and Religious Affairs Also Affected
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor announced the appointment of Ernest Kamau to the Business Registration Service Board for a three-year term. At the same time, she revoked the appointments of members serving on the Selection Panel responsible for nominating officials to the Waqf Commission, a key body in Islamic charitable affairs.
A Pattern of Restructuring
The latest round of appointments adds to a growing list of leadership changes under President Ruto’s administration. Since taking office, the president has repeatedly signalled his intent to refresh the management of state agencies, often replacing appointees linked to previous regimes with allies aligned to his vision.
While the State House has framed the changes as part of a broader effort to enhance efficiency in public institutions, critics argue they reflect an ongoing consolidation of political loyalty ahead of 2027.
For now, the reshuffle marks another step in what has become a familiar pattern — one where experience and political alignment continue to shape the face of Kenya’s public service.