Ruto Appoints TV47 Boss To Govt Job

President William Ruto has appointed Mount Kenya University (MKU) founder Dr Simon Gicharu to be Chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

The Head of State announced Gicharu's appointment via a Gazette notice dated Friday, October 13.

The appointment takes effect immediately and will run for a period of three years.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 (2) (a) of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Dr Simon Gicharu to be Chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 13th October 2023," read the Gazette notice.

Mount Kenya University founder, Simon Gicharu. /MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY

Ruto consequently revoked the appointment of Prof. Elishiba Njambi Kimani.

Gicharu is an educationalist and founder of MKU, which is East and Central Africa’s largest private university. He is also the founder of Mount Kigali University in Rwanda.

Gicharu is also the Chairman of the Water Services Regulatory Board and National Private Universities Owners Association of Kenya and is the founder of Equip Africa Institute and patron of the Mount Kenya University Graduate Enterprise Academy.

He is also a board member at Thika Water and Sewerage Company, and the patron of Inter Universities Rover Moot under the Kenya Scouts Association.

In 2015, Gicharu was named the Eastern African Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and subsequently inducted into the Ernst and Young Hall of Fame.

The celebrated educationalist also has media interests, founding Cape Media Limited which owns fast-rising TV and radio stations, TV47 and Radio 47.

In his new role, Gicharu will be responsible for setting the agenda of board meetings and playing a conciliatory role during discussions at KICD.

He can play a major role in terms of supervision, decision-making, and voting, including determining who is elected as chief executive officer (CEO) of KICD.

Other appointments

President Ruto appointed longtime ally of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Naomi Shaban, as the Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Board.

Shaban, who will serve for a three-year term, replaced Khama Rogo - a health sector Specialist who has worked with renowned organisations, including the World Bank. 

Ruto also appointed Titus Korir to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) board as the chairperson for three years by the Head of State.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithuire Kindiki appointed former Jubilee Party Chairperson Nelson Nzuya as a member of the Non-Governmental Organization Coordination Board for three years, having been kicked out from Jubilee during the Uhuru-led National Delegates Conference (NDC) at the Ngong Racecourse in May 2023.