The Devolution Empowerment Party (popularly known as Mbus Party) is reaping big with top appointments in President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
Just three weeks ago, the Party Leader and former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi landed an appointment as the new Board Chairperson of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK), a position previously held by
And barely hours after Kiraitu’s assumption of office, his close ally Felicity Biriri has been shortlisted for the position of the Chairperson of the Commission of Revenue Allocation (CRA).
The Commission on Revenue Allocation consists of a Chairperson appointed by the President, two persons represented in the National Assembly, five persons represented in the Senate and the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
Political Amends
Speaking during President Ruto’s most recent Meru tour, Kiraitu admitted that his decision to navigate the Mbus Party to Azimio last year was a big political mistake.
“I am indeed very sorry. We lost direction (by joining the Azimio Coalition of Parties), and we found ourselves inside a ditch. I thank you (President Ruto) for picking us up and showing us the right way.” Kiraitu said at a meeting in Ntumburi.
Also present in the meeting was Felicity Biriri, who reassured the President that the Meru people are in full support of his economic agenda, popularly known as the ‘bottom-up economic model.’
“Mine is to confirm that the Mbus Party is firmly behind you. You are in our prayers. We can see the focus you have, to ensure that our economy grows. We can see that nothing is deterring you, not even the protests.” Felicity said.
Mr. Kiraitu joined the Kenya Kwanza Alliance 8 months ago, and was received by President William Ruto at his Karen office in Nairobi, with more than 40 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from Meru and Embu counties.
“We welcome the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) to Kenya Kwanza. Their resolve to work with us is an indication that leaders agree that the interests of Kenyans override our personal or party interests,” President Ruto said.
Qualified
To be qualified to be a member of the Commission, a person must have extensive professional experience in financial and economic matters.
Felicity Nkirote Biriri is a seasoned policy maker and scholar who has served as a consultant in the Real Estate, Audit and Development sectors at both National and County levels.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and an MBA in Conflict Resolution and Peace Management from Kenyatta University.
She has served in several companies and boards in the Kenya, among them the Geothermal Development Company, the Kenya Pipeline Company, the National Environment Complaints Committee and the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation.
Her vast knowledge led to her appointment as the Chairperson of the Meru Investment Development Corporation in December 2017, a position she held until her resignation in February 2022.
She also served at the Kenya Pipeline Company, Meru University of Science and Technology, National Environment Complaints Committee and is a Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Foundation Trustee.
As the Vice Chair Federation of Women Entrepreneurs (FEWA) in 2013, Felicity Biriri successfully lobbied for the establishment of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) Program. AGPO facilitates access to 30% of public procurement contracts by disadvantaged groups (Youth, Women and PWDs.
The AGPO program registered 101,834 businesses owned by women, youth, and persons with disabilities by February 2019 with the total number of tenders awarded to youth, women, and PWD from 2013 to early 2019 being 106,096, amounting to about Ksh 117 billion.
Stiff Competition
Felicity is expected to face stiff competition from former PS Esther Koimett, a seasoned public-servant with a rich experience in banking, investment promotion and government policy.
Esther has previously served as the Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department Of Broadcasting and Telecommunication, and also in the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs.
Esther also served as the PS in the State Department for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development & Public Works, a position she held from 2018 to 2020 in Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee administration.
Other candidates interested in the position include Paul Kuria Kamau (Nakuru), Thomas Mwadeghu (Taita Taveta), Joh Njeru Njagi (Embu) and former Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lesonet.
Others are Mary Wanyonyi (Bungoma), Charles Githinji (Kirinyaga), Hussein Elema Dima (Isiolo) and Maurice Odhiambo Onyango (Homabay).
Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th May 2023, after which the names of the best 3 candidates will be forwarded to the President, who will then appoint the next CRA Chairperson.
Established under Article 215 of the Constitution of Kenya, the principal function of the Commission on Revenue Allocation is is to make recommendations concerning the basis for the equitable sharing of revenue raised by the national government between the national and county government; and among county governments.
The Chairperson of the Commission serves for a single term of six years, and is not be eligible for reappointment.
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