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President William Ruto has made fresh appointments to two government boards responsible for military veterans and social protection.
In a gazette notice dated August 28, 2026, Ruto appointed retired Major General William Karisa Shume as the new Non-Executive Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Military Veterans.
Shume will serve for four years, taking over from retired Major General Lucas Kyonze Tumbo, whose term has ended.
As chairperson, Shume will preside over the committee's meetings and guide discussions on matters affecting military veterans and their dependants.
The committee is also responsible for developing and reviewing recommendations before they are submitted to the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Council.
Shume will further advise the Defence Council and the Defence Cabinet Secretary on policies concerning military veterans and their families.
In a separate appointment, President Ruto named Cecilia Mbaka as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Board for Social Protection.
Mbaka will serve for three years from August 28, 2026, and will provide strategic leadership, oversight and governance to the board.
The National Board for Social Protection oversees the registration of beneficiaries and the distribution of social welfare support to vulnerable Kenyans.
The two appointments took effect on the same day and place new leadership at the helm of institutions dealing with military veterans and social protection.
The changes come less than a year before the 2027 General Election, adding to a series of recent appointments to government bodies.