Former Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Hon. Aisha Jumwa, has faced a setback after the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) rejected her nomination as the chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board.
The appointment, made by President William Samoei Ruto, has sparked criticism from IEK, which raised concerns about her lack of qualifications.
In a statement released on Monday, IEK made it clear that Aisha Jumwa does not meet the academic or professional requirements for the role.
The organization emphasized that the position demands expertise in fields such as structural, civil, or transport engineering, which Jumwa does not possess.
IEK further called for the immediate revocation of her appointment, urging the government to appoint a qualified individual who complies with the legal standards required for the role.
The statement also highlighted that the appointment of a chairperson to the Kenya Roads Board should be made from individuals nominated by organizations listed in the first schedule of the Kenya Roads Board Act.
According to IEK, Aisha Jumwa does not represent any of these organizations, making her appointment questionable.
This has raised concerns about whether due process and legal provisions were followed when her name was forwarded for the position.
Aisha Jumwa has had a controversial political journey. She previously served as the Member of Parliament for Malindi constituency under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
However, she later defected to President Ruto’s camp and contested for the Kilifi County gubernatorial seat during the 2022 general elections.
She lost to the ODM candidate but was later rewarded with a Cabinet position in Ruto’s administration, heading the Ministry of Gender.
Her tenure as Cabinet Secretary was cut short when President Ruto dissolved his Cabinet following widespread anti-government protests.
Despite losing her ministerial role, she remained in Ruto’s political circle, leading to her recent appointment as the chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board.
Critics have argued that this move was a political reward for her loyalty rather than a merit-based decision.
The rejection by IEK has intensified public scrutiny of how appointments are made in key government institutions.
Observers argue that such positions should be reserved for individuals with the necessary expertise to ensure efficiency and professionalism.
Jumwa’s nomination has reignited debates about whether political loyalty should outweigh qualifications in public service appointments.
This development marks a blow to Aisha Jumwa’s career and casts doubt on the transparency of the appointment process.
It remains to be seen how President Ruto’s administration will respond to the IEK’s demands, but the rejection has already drawn attention to the need for adherence to merit and legal standards in leadership appointments.
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