Former Machakos MP Rejects Ruto's Appointment To Govt Post

Former Machakos Town Member of Parliament Victor Munyaka has announced that he has rejected an appointment by President William Ruto as the Chairperson of the Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre for three years.

In a statement, Munyaka thanked President Ruto for the appointment, though revealed that the government was going through a negative political climate that posed a threat to its development agenda.

“I have learnt of my appointment by His Excellency, President William Ruto as the chairman of the Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre through a Kenya Gazette notice dated 3rd October 2024. I thank the Head of State for offering me the opportunity to serve Kenyans in such a capacity," he stated in part.

Former Machakos Town MP, Victor Munyaka. /PEOPLE DAILY

"However, after soul-searching, extensive consultations and in consideration of the current political climate that threatens the realization of the government’s economic transformation agenda, I have made the difficult decision to respectfully decline this appointment."

He added "Thank you again for considering me for this position. I wish you and your administration success in leading our country.”

Munyaka, who had initially been appointed the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Lands before the Court declared the position unlawful, recently revealed that he was not happy with the tense political tensions between Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua.  

"What the Kenya Kwanza administration principals are doing is devastating, especially to those of us in the Kenya Kwanza family. The President and his deputy should strive to get their house in order," he stated.

Munyaka, who served in the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation, was expected to apply his vast experience to modernising the centre, to boost the agricultural sector.

He joins a list of big names that have rejected appointments by President Ruto, with some Kenyans viewing this as a sign of no confidence in the Kenya Kwanza regime.

In July, Roots Party Leader George Luchiri Wajackoyah’s 2022 presidential running mate Justina Wamae on Monday, July 8 turned down her appointment by President William Ruto as part of a 20-member task force to address human resources for health in the country.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, declined her appointment to the Presidential task force which was to carry out a forensic audit of the country's public debt, with LSK terming the task force itself unconstitutional.