Ruto Picks Chebukati's Wife For CRA Chair Position

President William Ruto has nominated Mary Wanyonyi for appointment as the Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).

This was announced on Tuesday, May 23 by State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed in a statement.

"The Head of State has pursuant to Article 215 (2)(a) of the Constitution nominated CPA Mary A.C. Wanyonyi for appointment as the Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).

"The nomination fills the vacancy caused by the retirement of Dr Jane Kiringai, who had served a full 6-year term at the helm of the CRA. The nomination was preceded by a competitive recruitment process undertaken by the Public Service Commission (PSC)," the statement read in part.

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati during a Press briefing at Bomas of Kenya on August 10, 2022. /DAILY NATION

Wanyonyi was nominated alongside Thomas Ludindi Mwadeghu and Felicity Nkirote Biriri, three names that were forwarded by PSC to the President.

"Ms Wanyonyi is a Certified Accountant and a Certified Mediator who also holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting). The nominee has had a stellar career in accounting spanning over three decades.

"She is currently serving the nation as the Senior Deputy Accountant General and Head of Accounting Unit in the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing & Urban Development," added the statement.

Wanyonyi has previously served as a Council/Board Member of various State Corporations and State Agencies including The Cooperative University College, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Maasai Mara University.

She is the wife of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati. The CRA is responsible for determining how government revenue is allocated among the various counties in Kenya.

Wanyonyi was previously shortlisted for a Principal Secretary position in November 2022 but missed out on the final 51 picks, who were all appointed by President Ruto.

Ruto Makes Changes To SRC

At the same time, President Ruto nominated Dr Phyllis Wambui Wagacha for appointment as a member of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) representing the PSC, a nomination which fills the vacancy that arose following the resignation of Dalmas Otieno, EGH to participate in the 2022 General Elections.

The nomination follows a competitive process in which the PSC recommended to President Ruto the appointment of either Wagacha or Japhter Kiplimo Rugut.

Wagacha, holds a Doctoral Degree in Information Sciences, from Moi University. The Nominee has previously served at Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) and International Committee for Social Science Information and Documentation.

"His Excellency the President has transmitted the nominations to the National Assembly for consideration by Parliament, in fulfilment of the legal requirements set out under our supreme law," added the statement.