President William Ruto has revoked the appointment of Irungu Nyakera as the chairperson of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), replacing him with Samuel Waweru Mwangi.
In a Gazette Notice published on Tuesday, April 1, the President announced the appointment of Waweru for a three-year term, effective April 1, 2025.
“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 a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 1st April, 2025. The appointment of Irungu Nyakera is revoked.”
Nyakera Reacts Sarcastically
Following the announcement, Nyakera took to social media with a sarcastic response to his removal, stating:
“I feel special to be fired through a special issue, they could not wait for Friday.”
His comment alluded to the fact that government appointments and revocations are often published in the Kenya Gazette on Fridays, making the timing of his removal stand out.
Political Underpinnings?
Nyakera’s ouster comes just days after he skipped President Ruto’s tour of the Mount Kenya region, fueling speculation about his political stance amid ongoing government realignments.
On Sunday, March 30, Nyakera had announced that he would not be attending the tour, citing academic commitments at Oxford University.
“I will not be present during the President’s upcoming visit to Mt Kenya as I am still in school at Oxford University. That said, I want to share my message with the people and leaders of Mt Kenya,” he stated.
His absence, coupled with his subsequent removal from the KICC board, has sparked discussions about possible political undercurrents behind the decision.
What Next?
With Samuel Waweru Mwangi now set to take over as KICC chair, his leadership will be closely watched, especially regarding the strategic role KICC plays in Kenya’s tourism and conference industry. Meanwhile, Nyakera’s next political and professional moves remain to be seen.