President Ruto’s ally Hussein Tene Debasso has landed a plum government role in the latest wave of government appointments.
Tene was appointed as a member of the National Youth Service Council by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi as per a gazette notice released on November 15.
His appointment comes after court wrangles resulted in the suspension of his most recent appointment as chair of the Kenya National Trade Corporation (KNTC) Board. In February 2023, the Employment and Labour Court suspended Tene’s appointment after a petition filed by Paul Rukaria challenging his removal as chair of KNTC.
“Pending the hearing of the application of the inter-parties, the respondents and their agents, representatives, employees, or anyone else under their direction, are barred from effecting the gazette notice, which purports to de-gazette the petitioner herein as the chairperson of the board of directors of the Kenya National Trading Corporation,” noted the court.
Hussein Tene with President Ruto when joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in 2022
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PCS
Rukaria, a retired commissioned officer of the Kenya Defence Forces, had been appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 5, 2022, four days before the presidential elections, for a term of three years.
He moved to court after his dismissal, citing that there were no consultations with the State Corporations Advisory Committee before the revocation of his appointment.
“Section 7 (3) of the State Corporations Act is clear that before the President can revoke the appointment of any board member, there have to be cogent reasons for the said revocation and that the same must be subjected to consultation with the state Corporation Advisory Committee,” he said in his petition.
Tene’s appointment is seen as a reward for his loyalty to Ruto, and he looks set to finally be in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Tene’s dalliance with Ruto stems back to the 2022 General Elections where he expressed his interest in the Isiolo gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket. However, just days before the election, Tene dropped out of the race in favor of independent candidate Godana Doyo.
Meanwhile, Ruto appointed former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero as the chair of the KNTC board, effectively ending the jostling for the government role. Kidero will now oversee the government’s trade operations for three years, effective immediately.
The Kenya National Trading Corporation plays a critical role in stabilizing consumer prices and managing the government’s procurement processes. With its expansive warehousing and logistics network, KNTC has long been seen as a cornerstone in ensuring the efficient distribution of goods.
Ruto’s decision to place Kidero at the helm signals a calculated effort to revitalize the corporation’s operations amidst Kenya’s evolving economic challenges.
Former Governor Evans Kidero and President William Ruto at state House on May 13, 2023.
William Samoei Ruto
