By Antynet Ford
President William Ruto has appointed former ally to opposition leader Raila Odinga, as well as former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, to preside over the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Kenya Governing Council for a tenure of three years.
Ojaamong’s appointment officially commenced on Friday, June 14, 2024.
Upon the declaration, Ojaamong expressed his gratitude to the president for the nomination.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to President Ruto for entrusting me with this appointment. I pledge to fulfill my duties for the benefit of Kenya with diligence and impartiality. It is with great honor and appreciation that I accept the responsibility as Chairperson of the National Governing Council of the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat.” He said in his statement on the X platformm
In his new capacity, Ojaamong will oversee the coordination of NEPAD initiatives across various Ministries, Counties, Departments, Agencies, Development Partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
NEPAD’s primary objective is to guide Africa towards a sustainable development trajectory while striving to eliminate marginalization within the continent.
Others appointed by president Ruto include; Albert Cege as chairperson of the Kenya Academy of Sports Council, Patricia Ithau as chairperson of the Kenya Millennium Development Fund, Bernadette Nganga chairperson of the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board and Professor Ratemo Waya Michieka as chancellor of Tharaka University.
Read also: President Ruto woos for increased branding for Kenyan tea to improve global visibility
All new appointees will serve for a three-year period.
Ojaamong served for two terms as Busia Governor from 2013 to 2022 and previously as an MP for the defunct Amagoro Constituency between 2007 and 2013 under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
In the August 2022 polls, he lost the Teso South Parliamentary seat to Mary Emaase of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In January, he shifted his allegiance from ODM to Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza, pledging loyalty to the current administration.
