Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Treasurer Timothy Bosire has declined President William Ruto’s appointment as the non-executive Chairperson of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) board.
In a gazette notice number 391 dated January 17, 2025, President Ruto named Mr Bosire chairperson of the NTSA for a period of three years, revoking the appointment of Dr Manoj Shah.
But on Saturday, January 18, Mr Bosire, a key ally of veteran politician Raila Odinga, told Nation.Africa that he would not accept the appointment.
“After consultations with a section of leadership, my family and friends, I have reached a conclusion that I have to decline this appointment. I thank the appointing authority, President William Ruto for his consideration," Mr Bosire said.
Mr Bosire’s rejection of the role comes at a time when President Ruto and Mr Odinga’s camaraderie is in sharp focus following intense criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration by some of the veteran politician’s allies, including ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
ODM recently issued a hard-hitting statement against the government after a meeting of the Central Management Committee in Nairobi.
Interim party leader Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o warned the officials against making statements that suggest plans by ODM to back Dr Ruto’s re-election.
“We urge all our members to remember that ODM is a distinct political force, committed to winning power through democratic means. In this pursuit, let us be mindful of our words and actions, and avoid supporting our competitors in ways that may undermine the party's unity and goals,” he said.
Mr Sifuna, a fierce critic of President Ruto sought to reassure party members across the country that the party was strengthening its structures in readiness for the next elections.
“We must continue to strengthen ourselves in preparation for the battles ahead. Following the largely successful grassroots elections in November at polling units in all the 47 Counties the Party received 41 Appeals,” said Mr Sifuna.
In rejecting President Ruto’s appointment, Mr Bosire joins a long list of the Head of State’s appointees who have so far declined their appointments to various positions.
Former Information, Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Margret Ndung'u recently turned down President Ruto's appointment after being nominated as the new High Commissioner to Ghana.
Prior to Ms Ndung'u's move, former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi had also declined the same position, citing personal reasons.
Former Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka also turned down his appointment as chairman of the board of the Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre.
Former Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga also declined to take up the role of a member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission to which President Ruto appointed her in October last year.
“It’s truly a privilege to be considered for such a vital role in improving our beloved Nairobi’s environment and public health," she said.
"After careful consideration, I must respectfully decline the appointment due to personal reasons".
She has however landed a new role after being named a member of the Board of Directors of Kenya Shipyards Limited.
President Ruto had on Friday announced a series of appointments to key government institutions, marking another chapter in his administration's efforts to streamline governance and reward political allies.
The appointments, detailed in the latest Kenya Gazette dated January 17, include significant changes to leadership in infrastructure, energy, education, and other critical sectors.
In appointing Mr Bosire, Mr Odinga’s ally, as NTSA board chairperson, President Ruto was seen as continuing to consolidate political alliances across the spectrum.
They are: Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, National Treasury’s John Mbadi, Wycliffe Oparanya of Cooperatives and MSME Development, Opiyo Wandayi as Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum while Beatrice Askul was named to lead the East Africa Community, ASALs and Regional Development docket.
Additionally, President Ruto recently named other allies of Mr Odinga to plum state positions.
Prof Adams Oloo, Mr Joe Ager and Mr Sylvester Kasuku are now part of President Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisers.
Analysts say that sometimes nominees decline offers when they view the roles as below their standards or are incoherent with their ambitions.
In previous administrations, some of those who have turned down presidential appointments include the late Maj-Gen (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery, who turned down a Cabinet post offered by President Mwai Kibaki.
Others were then Ford-Kenya leader Musikari Kombo who in 2005, after a humiliating referendum defeat for Mr Kibaki, led its members and 15 would-be assistant ministers in rejecting an invitation to join the Cabinet after a constitutional referendum in which Kibaki was humiliated by his own ministers to a defeat.
In the same breath, Orwa Ojode, who was a member of Mr Odinga’s Liberal Democratic Party and had been appointed to the environment portfolio, also declined the offer.
Former Mandera Central MP and President Kenyatta’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs advisor, Abdikadir Mohamed, in 2018 declined to take up his new posting as Kenya’s ambassador to South Korea.
Former Director-General of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority John Ogango was among the four nominees who rejected ambassadorial offers by the retired president. He cited personal reasons as grounds for declining to be vetted by the parliamentary committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.
The former Building Bridges Initiativeco-chair, Dennis Waweru, who was appointed as Kenya’s Consul-General in the Democratic Republic of Congo, also declined ambassadorial positions to join former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's campaign team.
At the same time, the former finance minister, Chris Okemo, also rejected an appointment to be a board member of the Kenya Seed Company.
