Businesswoman Mary Wambui moved in a flurry of leadership changes in parastatals

Photo collage of Mary Wambui and President William Ruto. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto has revoked the appointment of businesswoman Mary Wambui Mungai as chairperson of the board of the Communications Authority, in a flurry of government appointments gazetted on Friday, August 8.

Wambui, who was appointed to the post in December 2022, has been replaced with Charles Kamau Karondo, who, until his appointment, served as board chairperson at the Athi Water Works Development Agency.

“I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoints Charles Kamau Karondo to be the non-executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Communications Authority, for three (3) years, with effect from 8th August, 2025,” reads part of the gazette notice.

It adds: “The appointment of Mary Wambui Mungai is revoked.”

According to the gazette notice, Wambui will replace Karondo at the Athi Water Works Development Agency after Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa appointed her in an apparent job swap.

The two will each serve three-year terms.

At the same time, President Ruto has reappointed Shalloe Abdullahi Yahya as the non-executive National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) board chairman for a further three years.

Meanwhile, several cabinet secretaries have effected changes to the leadership of parastatals, including extensions of tenures, fresh appointments and reappointments.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has appointed Dr. Musangi Mutua and Professor Stanley Khainga as the non-executive chairpersons of the councils of Garissa University and Kaimosi Friends University College, respectively.