OP-ED: RUTO’S PARASTATAL SHAKE-UP — REFORM OR REWARD?
When President William Ruto signed off on another round of parastatal board appointments last week, he did more than fill bureaucratic vacancies. He reignited an old Kenyan debate: are these appointments instruments of reform or vehicles of reward?
The Gazette notice, naming former Kipkelion East MP Joseph Kirui Limo as Chairperson of the newly constituted Gambling Regulatory Authority, is part of a growing trend under Ruto’s presidency—regular board reshuffles, dissolutions and reconstitutions meant, in his words, to “inject efficiency and accountability into state corporations.” On paper, it sounds like reform. But in practice, the impact could tilt either way.
THE PROMISE OF REFORM
Supporters of the president’s approach argue that this is exactly what Kenya needs. Parastatals—spanning energy, agriculture, healthcare, and regulation—have long been synonymous with bloated budgets, ghost projects, and poor oversight.
Ruto’s allies say appointing new boards offers a reset. Fresh faces can introduce new thinking, innovation and fiscal discipline. Many of the new appointees, like Limo, have prior experience in finance and public administration. His background as chair of the National Assembly Finance Committee is viewed as ideal for cleaning up a gambling industry known for leakages, tax evasion and youth exploitation.
Some economists have also praised Ruto’s decision to strengthen parastatal boards instead of announcing yet another round of costly mergers or dissolutions. To them, continuity with renewal—rather than chaos through restructuring—represents a maturing governance philosophy.
In sectors such as health and infrastructure, similar appointments earlier this year were followed by improved audit compliance and new performance tracking systems. If the trend continues, Ruto’s parastatal reform drive could become a quiet success story of his administration.
THE POLITICS OF PATRONAGE
Critics, however, are far from convinced. In Kenya, appointments are rarely just administrative. They are political currency.
Opposition voices point out that most new appointees hail from regions that backed the Kenya Kwanza coalition in 2022, raising questions about inclusivity and merit. Civil society groups have also cautioned against “boardroom recycling”—where politically connected figures rotate through different institutions regardless of qualifications.
Some former senior officials privately argue that constant reshuffling erodes institutional memory. “Every time a new board comes in, projects are paused, tenders re-evaluated, and strategic plans rewritten,” one former parastatal CEO said. “By the time stability returns, another reshuffle happens.”
The appointment of politicians and former legislators, while not illegal, reinforces the perception that boards are parking bays for loyalists awaiting election comebacks. It’s a pattern Kenyans have seen before—under different administrations, with similar results.
BETWEEN POLICY AND POLITICS
To Ruto’s credit, the Gambling Regulatory Authority arrives at a time when Kenya’s betting market urgently needs reform. The sector, worth billions annually, has been criticised for fuelling addiction among youth and leaking potential tax revenue. A strong, ethical board could restore integrity and balance in regulation. But if the authority becomes another politically compromised organ, the reform will die before it begins.
The president has repeatedly framed his appointments as part of a broader “economic transformation” agenda. He envisions parastatals becoming productive revenue engines rather than drains on the Treasury. Yet transformation cannot thrive where appointments are opaque and term limits uncertain.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT: DIVIDED EXPECTATIONS
The public mood is split. Supporters on social media hail Ruto’s decisiveness, calling it “hands-on leadership” and “a shake-up long overdue.” Detractors, on the other hand, see it as a purge disguised as reform, warning that state corporations risk becoming political echo chambers.
Editorial boards across major dailies have echoed the same caution: Kenya needs governance stability more than it needs constant headline appointments. Even some allies within the ruling coalition have quietly urged the president to balance politics with professionalism, warning that over-politicisation could undermine his 2027 re-election message of competence.
THE BOTTOM LINE
President Ruto’s parastatal appointments could usher in one of two legacies.
If they succeed, he will be remembered as the president who tamed bureaucratic waste, professionalised state corporations, and aligned them with national development goals. If they fail, history will file them under Kenya’s long list of politically convenient reshuffles—symbolic, wasteful, and ultimately unproductive.
The real test begins now: whether appointees prioritise service over self, and whether the presidency values performance over patronage.
Reform, like gambling, is about odds. And Kenya is watching to see if Ruto has bet wisely.
