President William Ruto has appointed ex-ally to opposition leader Raila Odinga who also doubles as former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong to chair the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Kenya Governing Council for three years.
According to the gazette notice, Ojaamong’s appointment effectively began on Friday, June 14, 2024.
Following the announcement, Ojaamong thanked the president for the appointment.
“Thank you, President Ruto, for the appointment, I will serve Kenya with diligence and impartiality. I am deeply honoured and grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in me by appointing me as Chairperson of the National Governing Council of the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat.” his post on the X platform.
In his new role, Ojaamong will be responsible for coordinating NEPAD projects across the Ministries, Counties, Departments, Agencies, Development Partners and other stakeholders.
NEPAD aims to place Africa on a sustainable development path and seeks to halt marginalisation 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.
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.