President William Ruto has appointed new chairpersons to two government bodies dealing with military veterans and social protection.
The appointments were announced through Gazette Notices dated Friday, August 28, 2026.
Retired Major General William Karisa Shume has been appointed chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Military Veterans for a four-year term.
His appointment took effect on August 28, 2026.
Shume replaces retired Major General Lucas Kyonze Tumbo, whose term came to an end.
The committee gives advice to the government on issues regarding military veterans and their dependants.
One of his duties will be to chair the committee and to lead its deliberations on issues that should be addressed to the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Council.
He will also give advice to the Defence Council and the Defence Cabinet Secretary on issues affecting military veterans and their dependants.
New appointment at Social Protection Board
Ruto in another Gazette Notice appointed Cecilia Mbaka as the new Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Board for Social Protection.
She will hold the position for three years beginning from August 28, 2026.
The duties of the chairperson entail giving strategic direction to the board but do not involve managing its operations.
The National Board for Social Protection is responsible for the registration of beneficiaries and the provision of social assistance to needy Kenyans.
The board was created by the Social Protection Act to oversee the social protection programmes of the country.
These two appointments are part of a larger number of changes being made to state boards and agencies by the government.
The appointments come at a time when the country is preparing for the 2027 General Election. The public officers who intend to seek elective positions are required by the IEBC to step down from their offices on February 10, 2027.
