Kenya Kwanza Defender Odoyo Owidi Fired in Sweeping Changes to State Agencies

Prominent Kenya Kwanza defender Odoyo Owidi has been removed from his position as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency.

The announcement came through a gazette notice issued by Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muriithi, who appointed Daniel Omino as Owidi’s replacement for a three-year term.

“The appointment of Odoyo Owidi is revoked,” stated the official gazette notice, bringing an abrupt end to Owidi’s tenure at the agency.

Owidi, a frequent guest on national television stations where he robustly defended the government, was among the early Luo Nyanza leaders who publicly supported President William Ruto ahead of the 2022 general election.

His dismissal comes as a surprise to many political observers, given his visible loyalty to the current administration.

Prior to his support for Kenya Kwanza, Owidi was a member of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party but resigned before the last election, citing what he described as “a lack of transparency” within the party. He had also previously served as Chair of the Lake Basin Development Authority.

This removal is part of a broader series of changes across multiple state agencies announced by various Cabinet Secretaries. Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi appointed Martha Nyangwaria to the Board of Directors of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Anne Michura to the Board of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, both for three-year terms effective May 16, 2025.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi appointed Eugene Masombo to the Board of Trustees for the President’s Award, while Agriculture and Livestock Development CS Mutahi Kagwe appointed Wario Yattani to the Board of the Kenya Animal Genetics Resource Centre and re-appointed George Odhiambo Oballa to the same board.

Additional appointments include Francis Njoroge to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute by Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho, and Leah Manyarkiy, Christopher Matseshe Naicca, and Dominic Salvio Kariuki Wambugu to the Board of Directors of the Information and Communications Technology Authority by Information and Communication CS William. The latter appointments coincided with the revocation of Annette Mutuku, Alfred Ngeno, and Michael Njogu Wachira from their positions.

Newly appointed Gender and Culture CS Hanna Cheptumo made her first appointment by naming Addullahi Nur Sheikh to the National Heroes Council, while East African Community CS Beatrice Askul Jattani appointed Godana to the National Drought Management Authority.

The wide-ranging changes across multiple government agencies signal what appears to be a strategic realignment within the Kenya Kwanza administration as it approaches the midpoint of its first term in office.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​