Francis Atwoli Gets New Government Role as Ruto, Mutua and Other CSs Announce Appointments

President William Ruto and several Cabinet Secretaries have announced a series of appointments and reappointments to government institutions, with Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli among those named to a new position.

The changes affect several public bodies responsible for social protection, mineral rights, legal education, wildlife research and education management.

According to the appointment notices published on Saturday, October 24, Atwoli has been appointed a member of the National Board for Social Protection for a three-year term, alongside Kenneth Odire and Richard Musau.

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua made the appointments, which took effect on October 23, 2026.

The notice cited Section 10(f) of the Social Protection Act as the legal basis for Atwoli’s appointment.

The board supports the coordination and implementation of social protection programmes designed to assist vulnerable groups across the country.

Atwoli’s new position comes as the government continues to make changes to the leadership and membership of various public institutions.

In a separate decision, President Ruto reappointed Sophia Olesambu as the non-executive chairperson of the Mineral Rights Board for another three years, effective October 23.

The board plays a role in overseeing mineral rights matters, including activities related to mineral exploration and extraction in Kenya.

The Head of State also reappointed Collins Odote as the non-executive chairperson of the Council of Legal Education (CLE) for a further three-year term beginning October 23.

Odote will continue overseeing the council’s mandate of maintaining standards in legal education and training, including the quality of institutions and programmes offering legal training.

Meanwhile, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano reappointed Francis Nkoitoi and Albert Long’ora to the board of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute for three years.

Nkoitoi’s appointment took effect on October 23, while Long’ora’s term is scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026.

The institute is involved in wildlife research and training, supporting efforts to strengthen conservation knowledge and expertise in Kenya.

In another appointment, East African Community and ASALs Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul reappointed Judith Kirorei, Pacha Ntaika and Agnes Nairowua as members of the Ewaso Ng’iro South River Basin Development Authority.

The authority is involved in regional development initiatives associated with the river basin and its surrounding areas.

In the education sector, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba appointed Alexander Flemings Losikiria as a member of the Council for the Kenya Education Management Institute for a three-year term, effective October 23.

The appointments and reappointments affect institutions operating in different sectors, with their respective board members expected to support governance, policy implementation and oversight within their mandates.

Atwoli’s appointment to the National Board for Social Protection is among the changes announced by the government, adding a new public responsibility to the COTU secretary general’s leadership role.

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