Joshua Kutuny: Ruto Appoints Ex-MP Who Supported Raila In 2022 To Govt Job

The appointment was made as the Head of State published the changes in a Kenya Gazette notice on Friday, October 27.

Joshua Kutuny: Ruto Appoints Ex-MP Who Supported Raila In 2022 To Govt Job
A past photo of former Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny with President William Ruto. /FILE

President William Ruto has appointed former Cherangany Member of Parliament (MP) Joshua Kutuny to be the Chairperson of the Kenya Copyright Board.

The appointment was made as the Head of State published the changes in a Kenya Gazette notice on Friday, October 27.

Kutuny, according to the notice, was appointed to the board for three years, with immediate effect.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 of the Copyright Act 2001, I, William Ruto, president of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces appoint Joshua Kutuny to be the chairperson of the Kenya Copyright Board, for three years, with effect from October 27, 2023," read the notice in part.

A past photo of former Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny during a public address. /PEOPLE DAILY

The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) is a State Corporation under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts - State Department for Youth Affairs and the Arts. It was established by section 3 of the Copyright Act 2001 and mandated with the administration and enforcement of copyright and related rights.

Kutuny will thus lead KECOBO's Board which is responsible for organizing legislation on copyright and related rights; conducting training programmes on copyright and related rights; as well as enlightening and informing the public on matters related to copyright.

Furthermore, it is tasked with licensing and supervising the activities of collective management societies; and maintaining an effective databank on authors and their works.

Kutuny lost his seat in the 2022 elections to incumbent Cherangany MP Wesly Korir of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, having sought to retain his seat on a Jubilee party ticket that is under the Azimio La Umoja coalition.

He is one of the few Rift Valley MPs who campaigned for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga's presidential bid in the 2022 elections.