CS Ogamba shakes up education sector with key appointments
By Faith Lagat, September 28, 2025Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba has announced a raft of appointments and re-appointments across Kenya’s education institutions.
The appointments, captured in Kenya Gazette notices dated September 26, 2025, take effect immediately unless stated otherwise. They mark the latest round of changes aimed at strengthening governance and administration in critical education bodies.
KNEC and KISE
Under Gazette Notice No. 13612, Zephania Koech has been named a member of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) for a four-year term pursuant to section 4 (f) (iii) of the KNEC Act, 2012. The council oversees national examinations for millions of learners every year.
“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 4 (f) (iii) of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act, 2012, the Cabinet Secretary for Education appoints– ZEPHANIA KOECH to be a Member of the Kenya National Examinations Council, for a period of four (4) years, with effect from the 26th September,” read the gazette in part.
Also watch: Ogamba affirms readiness for 2026 senior school rollout under competency-based education.
The gazette notice outlines appointments to the Council of the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) under the Education (Kenya Institute of Special Education) Order, 1986. Kennedy Otieno, Stephen Kubai and Josephat Kemboi have been appointed as members for three years under various paragraphs of section 4 (2). Saida Ali Aden has been re-appointed for another three-year term to ensure continuity in the council’s leadership.
“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 4 (2) of the Education (Kenya Institute of Special Education) Order, 1986, the Cabinet Secretary for Education appoints– Under paragraph (d)— Kennedy Otieno, Under paragraph (j (i))— Stephen Kubai, Under paragraph (l)— Josephat Kemboi, as Members of the Council for the Kenya Institute of Special Education, for a further period of three (3) years, with effect from the 26th September, 2025.”
Strengthening STEM
Significant changes have also been made at the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA). Gazette Notices No. 13615 and 13616 confirm the re-appointment of Dr. Pius Kimani Mutisya as Chairperson of the Board of Governors for three years under section 4 (1) (a) of the Education (Board of Governors) CEMASTEA Order, 2006.
It is worth noting that the CS had earlier claimed that education is now accessible and affordable to all following government reforms.
New members joining the board for three years include Florah Fedha, Joseph Wambua, Allan Sitima, Abdijibar Sanay, Jenniffer Bosibori, Joseph Magudah Okhaba, Betty Abiero and Tom Ngeri. Their roles will support the centre’s work in advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education across the country.
Gazette notice also appoints Edna Musyoki to the Council of the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) for three years under section 7 (2) (f) of the Education (KEMI) Order, 2010, reinforcing the institute’s training of education managers.
National biosafety authority
Gazette Notice No. 13618, dated August 29, 2025, names Lucy Jepchoge Rono to the Board of Directors of the National Biosafety Authority for a three-year term under section 6 (1) (f) of the Biosafety Act. The appointment adds to ongoing efforts to oversee biosafety regulation within education and research.
“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (f) of the Biosafety Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Education appoints— LUCY JEPCHOGE RONO (DR.) to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Biosafety Authority, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 29th August, 2025,” read in part.