Ruto Urged To Revoke Aisha Jumwa's Govt Appointment
IEK President Shammah Kiteme argued that the appointment, as outlined in Gazette Notice No. 395 dated January 17, 2025, did not adhere to the legal requirements for appointing the board’s leadership.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is calling for the immediate revocation of the appointment of Aisha Jumwa as the non-executive chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) by President William Ruto.
Rejecting the appointment, IEK in a statement on Monday, January 27 expressed concern that the appointment was done without compliance with the Kenya Roads Board Act No. 7 of 1999 (Revised 2023).
IEK President Shammah Kiteme argued that the appointment, as outlined in Gazette Notice No. 395 dated January 17, 2025, did not adhere to the legal requirements for appointing the board’s leadership.
"To ensure that the leadership of KRB is in line with its legal framework and technical requirements, it is recommended that appointments consider individuals with relevant professional backgrounds. This would not only strengthen KRB’s capacity to address engineering and infrastructure challenges but also enhance its credibility in overseeing projects that require technical expertise.
Eng. Shammah Kiteme, President of the Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), speaking during the media launch of the 31st International Convention on October 22, 2024. /INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERS KENYA
"We therefore call for immediate revocation of the appointment of Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana as KRB Chair and the appointment of a suitably qualified Chair in compliance with the law," stated Kiteme in part.
According to Kiteme, the Act mandates that the non-executive chairperson be appointed from among members nominated by organisations listed in the First Schedule.
The organisations entitled to nominate members to the board include the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, the Automobile Association of Kenya, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, and the Kenya Transport Association. These groups, according to the Act, play a critical role in ensuring the KRB’s leadership is aligned with its mandate.
“Aisha Jumwa Katana does not represent any of these organisations, raising questions about the adherence to statutory provisions in her appointment,” Kiteme continued.
Furthermore, the body argued that Jumwa did not have the requisite qualifications to head the Board, noting she did not have any background in civil, structural, or transport engineering that would align her well with the responsibilities of heading the Board. KRB is tasked with overseeing essential road infrastructure projects, including their development, maintenance, and technical oversight.
He stressed the importance of having a chairperson with a professional engineering background, particularly in civil, structural, or transport engineering, to provide the expertise required for the board’s functions.
“The Kenya Roads Board is heavily involved in engineering work such as monitoring the condition of roads, advising on construction standards, and ensuring that projects are carried out effectively from a technical standpoint. An individual with hands-on engineering experience would possess the necessary skills and insights to lead the board in achieving these objectives,” Kiteme explained.
The IEK also noted that the appointment process outlined in Section 7 of the KRB Act must be followed to uphold the integrity of the board.
When President Ruto appointed Jumwa to the role on January 17, 2025, he said she would serve in the position for a period of three years with effect from the appointment date.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7 (1) (a) of the Kenya Roads Board 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 Aisha Jumwa Katana to be the non-executive Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from January 17, 2025,” the notice read.
The President revoked the appointment of Ahmed Kolosh Mohamed. Jumwa was among the CSs kicked out of Ruto's Cabinet in July, and was among eight other cabinet secretaries that did not receive a nod to return to Cabinet.
