President William Ruto has nominated Susan Koech (pictured), a former Principal Secretary for East African Community (EAC) to be the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) deputy Governor. The National Assembly is expected to receive her name tomorrow when the House resumes sittings after a long Christmas recess.

Koech’s name has already been published by the Clerk’s Office on Tuesday’s order paper and will be committed to the Departmental Committee on Finance for vetting.

If approved, Koech, who hails from Elgeyo Marakwet will occupy the second deputy governor slot that has been vacant for the last seven years. The CBK law requires the regulator to be managed by one governor and two deputies at all times.

Competitive process

“There shall be two deputy governors who shall be appointed by the president through a transparent competitive process and with the approval of Parliament,” states the law. CBK governor Patrick Njoroge has been deputized by Sheila M’Mbijjiwe since 2015.

Koech was among 10 names shortlisted to compete for the position. Others were former Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) chief executive Charles Ringera, ex-National Bank boss Munir Ahmed, James Lopoyetum, Michael Mwebesa and Paul Muthaura.

Other nominees were James Awinja, Gerald Arita, Rose Ngugi and Fredrick Oyugi.