I feel special, Irungu Nyakera says after sacking as KICC chairman

Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) board chairperson Irungu Nyakera has been fired.

Irungu was dismissed by President William Ruto through a special Kenya Gazette notice dated yesterday.

The Head of State appointed Samuel Waweru Mwangi to serve in the same position for the next three years.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 43 (1) (a) of the Tourism Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Samuel Waweru Mwangi to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, for three (3) years, with effect from the 1st April, 2025. The appointment of Irungu Nyakera is revoked,” the gazette notice stated in part.

His sacking comes two days after he stated that he would not be attending President Ruto’s tour in the Mount Kenya region as he is in school.

While making the announcement, Nyakera urged the residents of the region to be calm and not to show hostility to Ruto.

“I will not be present during the President’s upcoming visit to Mt Kenya as I am still in school at Oxford University,” he stated on his social media accounts.

Hours after his sacking, Nyakera expressed feeling special to be sacked through a special gazette notice.

He laughed sarcastically, saying the president could not wait for Friday when the gazette notice is normally published.

“I feel special to be fired in a special issue. They could not wait for Friday,” the former Farmers Party leader stated.

His remarks come after he also recently criticised the government for moving Farmers Party leader and former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu to Kamiti prison, terming it political persecution.

Before serving as the KICC chairperson, Nyakera served as the Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).