Academics To Head Various State Institutions

Several professionals and academics were appointed as heads of state corporations announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday. They include Mr John Ngumi, a career investment banker, who has been heading Konza Technopolis Development Authority. 

Mr Ngumi is the new Kenya Pipeline Company Board chairman. Others are Mr Polycarp Igathe, the current managing director of Vivo Energy Kenya who was appointed chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency Board.

Mr Igathe served as managing director and executive director of Haco Industries Kenya Limited and as a director of Mercantile Insurance company.He is also a former Tiger Brands East Africa boss.

Dr Richard Leakey, the new Kenya Wildlife Services chairman is a legendary conservationists, who set off a campaign to end elephant poaching in 1989 when he was the director of the agency. That year, President Daniel arap Moi set on fire 12 tonnes of ivory at the behest of Dr Leakey. This was the first time in the country’s history and was intended to send a clear message to poachers that the country would not tolerate the continuous slaughter of elephants and other animals.

Another professional is Mr Abdullahi Dima Jillo, who was appointed a member of Kenya Forestry Research Institute Board. He is an Egerton University lecturer has studied natural resource tenure and conflict among the Boran of northern Kenya. He once worked with the government as a livestock officer in Isiolo District before he proceeded to Egerton University for further studies.

Professor Meroka Mbeche was appointed a member of the Board of Kenya Veterinary Vaccines,he is the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Nairobi.

The other member of the board is Mr Robert Mburu,Ms Peninah Aloo-Obudho, an associate professor at Kenyatta University’s Department of Zoological Sciences, is the new chairperson of Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute Board.

At the same time, her lecturer colleague at Pwani University, Prof Eric Chenje Mwachiro, was named as a member of the Board of Kenya Maritime Authority.

A statement by State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the appointments were in line with the transformative agenda for the country and added that they were also designed to improve service delivery and efficiency, besides dealing with rampant corruption in many state-owned institutions.

Reference : www.nation.co.ke