Just In: New Faces In as Ruto Makes Key State Appointments — Details

President William Ruto has appointed former Cabinet Minister Njeru Peter Ndwiga to head the Coffee Board of Kenya in a fresh leadership change affecting the country’s coffee sector.

The appointment, which was announced through a Kenya Gazette notice dated October 30, 2026, gives Ndwiga a three-year term as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the board.

Ndwiga takes over from Henry Gichuhi Kinyua, whose earlier appointment has been revoked. Kinyua had served in the position for only 56 days after his appointment in September.

The latest development comes at a time when the government is facing growing attention over the coffee sector and the need to improve the earnings of farmers across the country.

Ndwiga is not new to public service. He served as Cabinet Minister for Cooperative Development and Marketing during the administration of former President Mwai Kibaki between 2002 and 2007.

He later joined the Senate, where he represented Embu County from 2017 to 2022. During his time in Parliament, he chaired the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

His experience in cooperative development and agriculture is expected to be important in his new role, especially as coffee farmers continue to look for better returns from their produce.

In another related appointment, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe named Kinyua as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Council of the Coffee Research and Training Institute of Kenya for a three-year term.

The changes therefore affect two important institutions responsible for the development, research and management of Kenya’s coffee industry.

Kenya remains one of the countries known for producing high-quality coffee, with thousands of farmers depending on the crop for their livelihoods.

Ndwiga will now take charge of the board as the country continues efforts to strengthen the coffee industry.

His appointment is likely to attract attention from farmers and other players in the sector who will be watching how the new leadership handles their concerns.

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