Profile Of PS Mbaika Set To Take Over Newly-Created Aviation Post
Mbaika was nominated as the new Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, created within the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
FaithAnne Mwaura 
On Thursday, March 23, President William Ruto created seven new State Departments while carrying out a reshuffle of principal secretaries, one of which Teresia Mbaika Malokwe was posted to.
Mbaika was nominated as the new Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, created within the Ministry of Roads and Transport. She is set to transition into the role from the State Department for Devolution.
Mbaika is a distinguished environmentalist and health economist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Kenyatta University (2011) and a Master of Science in Health Economics and Policy from the University of Nairobi (2014).
In 2016, she furthered her expertise in energy by obtaining a certificate in "Comprehensive Introduction to Nuclear Power" from Texas A&M University, USA.
Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika (in blue) with President William Ruto at State House on April 23, 2024. /TERESIA MBAIKA
Mbaika has amassed more than 10 years of experience in corporate governance, resource mobilization, strategic management, leadership, and public finance management. Her extensive background includes:
2013–2017: Served as Secretary to the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) Board, Kaiti Constituency, overseeing financial management and corporate governance.
2014–Present: Board member at Beam Construction and Supplies Limited, a Nairobi-based construction firm.
2016–2022: Served as a board member at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), holding multiple leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Technical, Audit, and Human Resource Committees.
2018–2021: Appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Board of Directors, serving as Chair of the Technical, Finance, and Administration Committees and Member of the Audit Committee.
She also serves as the Deputy Director for Youth and Gender Affairs at Ukamba Network Vamwe (UNV), a community development nonprofit supporting economic empowerment in the Ukambani region.
Mbaika was then appointed to the State Department for Devolution and assigned to the office of Kithure Kindiki (current Deputy President).
With her appointment as Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development on March 20, Mbaika assumes a pivotal role in coordinating policy, strategy, and financial management within Kenya’s aviation and aerospace sectors.
The creation of the department is seen as the Kenyan government's plan to give the aviation sector in Kenya a wider berth owing to its growing popularity among travellers.
Though official details are yet to be released by the time of publishing, the State Department is expected to regulate air travel and aviation services in the country.
It will also be responsible for the formulation and management of the government’s aviation policies as well as overseeing air transportation, airport development, maintenance, provision of aviation infrastructural services and other needs.
Should Mbaika be cleared for appointment, her responsibilities will include:
- Overseeing strategic development within the aviation and aerospace industry.
- Ensuring efficiency and compliance in project implementation per government directives.
- Managing financial resources as the department’s accounting and authorized officer.
- Fostering collaboration between stakeholders to drive growth and innovation in the sector.
Mbaika's incoming leadership is expected to enhance Kenya’s position in the global aviation and aerospace landscape, advancing the country’s infrastructure and technological capacity.
