Abdi Bare Duale, brother to CS for Defence, Aden Duale President William Ruto on Friday made changes to the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (Ketraco) Board, replacing Brigadier (Retired) David Azangu Ngaira with Mr. Abdi Bare Duale.
Brigadier Ngaira had served in the role for less than a year, having been appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 14, 2022.
The move has raised questions about the stability of leadership within Ketraco, as well as the new President's approach to appointments within state parastatals.
Mr. Duale, who is the elder brother of Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Bare Duale, will take over the role on January 20, 2023.
He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as the chairman of Kenya Leather Development Council and as a board member of the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, and Nerix Pharma Limited.
Additionally, Mr. Duale is a trained entrepreneur with an MBA in International Trade from Edith Cowan University in Australia.
Since his election, President Ruto has made several appointments to state parastatals, with former President Kenyatta’s allies either dropped or transferred to less attractive positions.
This has raised concerns among political analysts about the President's approach to appointments and the potential for instability within key institutions.
Former Chief of Defence Forces Gen (Retired) Julius Karangi was in December 2022 moved from the National Social Security Fund Board of Trustees to the National Council for Population and Development Board, and Lt Gen (Retired) Walter Rarira Koipaton was appointed as the chairperson of the Kenya Wildlife Service Board for three years.
The President also appointed Ms Faith Boinett to chair the Kenya Pipeline Company Limited Board for three years.
Overall, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the performance of these state parastatals and how it will align with the President's agenda for the country.