President William Ruto has appointed former Taveta Member of Parliament (MP) Basil Criticos as the Chairperson of the Kenya Trade Network Agency Board.

In a gazette notice dated May 26, 2023, Ruto said Criticos will serve for a period of three years beginning immediately.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 6 (1) (a) of the Kenya Trade Network Agency Order, 2010, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint— Basil Criticos to be the Chairperson of the Kenya Trade Network Agency Board, for a period of three years, with effect from the 26th May, 2023. Gazette Notice No. 10612 of 2021 is revoked,” the gazette notice stated.

Criticos served as the Assistant Minister for Roads and Public Works under President Daniel Moi’s administration.

Basil questioned by Azimio

The former MP’s name came into the political limelight during last year’s campaign after Azimio la Umoja questioned him over 2,526 acres of land that he sold to then Deputy President William Ruto in Taita Taveta.

Criticos defended Ruto saying he bought the land at market price in 2017.

“I was paid the market rate but cannot disclose how much I was paid. He (Ruto) sent his valuers and quoted the price, which we agreed on,” Criticos told a local publication.

The farm is located in Mata ward and it borders the vast Criticos’ ranch and Lake Jipe to the South.