President William Ruto, currently touring the Mt. Kenya region, has revoked the appointment of Irungu Nyakera as Chairperson of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Nyakera, a former Principal Secretary, will be replaced by Samuel Waweru Mwangi, who has been appointed for a three-year term starting April 1, 2025.
The announcement was made through a gazette notice published on Tuesday, April 1, which read:
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 43 (1) (a) of the Tourism Act, 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 Samuel Waweru Mwangi to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 1st April, 2025. The appointment of Irungu Nyakera is revoked.”
Following the release of the notice, Nyakera responded on social media, commenting on his dismissal:
“I feel special to be fired through a special issue, they could not wait for Friday,” he remarked.
The dismissal comes after Nyakera declared he would not attend President Ruto’s Mt. Kenya tour, leading to speculation about his political loyalties amid recent shifts within the government.
In a statement on March 30, Nyakera clarified that he would be engaged with schoolwork at Oxford University during the President’s visit.
“I will not be present during the President’s upcoming visit to Mt. Kenya as I am still in school at Oxford University. That said, I want to share my message with the people and leaders of Mt. Kenya,” Nyakera said.
Adding, “In the last election, Mt. Kenya voted for development, and development, as we all know, comes through the Office of the President. When he visits next week, let our focus be on that development—not on the politics.”
