Ruto Appoints Key Odinga Allies to Senior Government Positions

President William Ruto has appointed several allies of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga to key government roles.

This decision, revealed in a circular dated December 20, 2024, comes just one day after Ruto nominated associates of former President Uhuru Kenyatta to the Cabinet. Named in this new round of appointments are Prof. Adams Oloo, Mr. Joe Ager, and Dr. Silvester Kasuku, who will serve on Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisers. Prof. Oloo has been designated Strategy and Communication Adviser, Dr. Kasuku will oversee Governance, and Mr. Ager will function as the Secretary of Governance.

Their appointments signify a strategic move to enhance the executive's capacity to govern effectively. In addition, Mr Ali Mahat Somane has been appointed as the National Security Adviser, further expanding the range of influential positions occupied by figures associated with the ODM. Notably, Mr Ager and Prof. Oloo were instrumental in facilitating reconciliation between Ruto and Odinga, which ultimately led to the inclusion of opposition politicians in the Cabinet.

Prof. Oloo, a veteran adviser to Odinga, has previously played a key role in Odinga's presidential campaigns and served on the National Dialogue Committee’s technical team. Dr Kasuku returns to government after his tenure as Secretary for Infrastructure and the LAPSSET Corridor Project.
The circular announcing these appointments was signed by Principal Administrative Secretary Arthur Osiya on behalf of Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

The stated purpose of these appointments is to strengthen the personnel supporting the Head of State and Government, enhancing the Executive Office’s capacity to fulfil its mandate. President Ruto also appointed Mr Peter Kenneth as the chair of the Kenya Bureau of Standards National Standards Council. Kenneth is known for his alliances with both Odinga and former President Kenyatta during the 2022 General Election.

Additionally, former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria—who was a prominent figure in Odinga’s opposition coalition—has been named to chair the Public Procurement Regulatory Board. Other significant appointments include Mr Gerald Nyaoma Arita as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Mr Bruno Oguda Obodha as Managing Director of East African Portland Cement Company, and Mr Douglas Kaibos as Chief Executive Officer of the Central Valley Works Development Agency.

Additionally, former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Gabow will lead the Kenyan Consulate in Haiti. The circular states that these appointments follow recommendations from the Public Service Commission and adhere to existing laws governing each public office. This recent slate of appointments adds to a growing roster of Odinga’s allies who have joined Ruto’s government since July.

Among these figures are ODM Deputy party leaders Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy) and Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and SMEs), as well as ODM National Chairman John Mbadi and Secretary of Political Affairs Opiyo Wandayi, appointed as National Treasury and Energy Cabinet Secretaries, respectively.

Additionally, Beatrice Askul, a Party Elections Board member, has been named EAC Cabinet Secretary. Overall, these appointments reflect President Ruto’s strategic initiative to create a broad-based government, integrating key opposition figures to foster unity and collaboration in addressing the nation’s challenges.