Former CS Echesa, Jakakimba land govt positions in latest appointments

President William Ruto’s allies former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and lawyer Silas Chepkeres Jakakimba have landed government positions in the latest appointments.

In a gazette notice dated November 29, 2024, Echesa was appointed to the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health as the chairperson of the body.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 28 (1) and (2) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection appoints Rashid Echesa to be the Chairperson of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, with effect from the 29th November 2024 up to 18th May 2026. The appointment of Ali Wario is revoked,” the notice by Labour CS Alfred Mutua read,

Before this appointment, Echesa had previously been appointed as chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency Board to serve for three years until 2026.

A loyalist to the president, Echesa was sacked from his position as Sports CS after just serving for one year.

Echesa who gained his clout among the political circles as an avid mobiliser, started as an ODM youth league official before switching sides in support of Ruto.

Former Raila aide

Similarly, lawyer Silas Jakakimba from Suba was appointed to be a member of the South Nyanza Sugar Company.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (e) of the State Corporations Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development appoints Silas Jakakimba as a member of the Board of Directors of South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited, with effect from the 29th November 2024. The appointment of Eric Osenya is revoked,” the gazette notice by Agriculture CS Andrew Karanja read.

Jakakimba, a lawyer who briefly served in the office of Raila Odinga also served as an advisor of Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga before quitting following his public support of Ruto.

Jakakimba joined the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party on March 26, 2024, with his eyes trained on the Suba North constituency currently represented by MP Millie Odhiambo.

“I intend to join the many Nyanza people who are now increasingly ready to mobilise, popularise and even contest for elections on the UDA platform,” Jakakimba said during his admission to the party in March.