By Peter Halima
Nairobi, Kenya – May 24, 2024 – Former Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja is making a comeback to public service after being appointed as the non-executive board chairman of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya by President William Ruto. The appointment, announced in a gazette notice published on Friday, May 23rd, marks a return to the political arena for Samboja, who served as the Governor of Taita Taveta County from 2017 to 2022.
Samboja’s bid for re-election in the 2022 general election was unsuccessful, leaving his political future uncertain. However, this recent appointment solidifies his position within the current administration.
The gazette notice, signed by President Ruto, officially confirms Samboja’s new role. It reads, “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) of the State Corporations Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the defense Forces, appoint Granton Samboja to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 23rd May, 2025.”
Samboja’s appointment to the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya will see him lead the board of directors, playing a crucial role in the oversight and strategic direction of the company. The Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya plays a vital role in the Kenyan economy, particularly in the agricultural sector, focusing on the processing and marketing of pyrethrum, a natural insecticide.
The appointment has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising President Ruto for recognizing Samboja’s experience in public service, while others question the reasons behind the appointment, given his previous electoral defeat. Regardless of the opinions, Samboja’s return to the public sphere is undoubtedly a significant development in Kenyan politics.
It remains to be seen how Samboja will leverage his experience as a former governor to contribute to the growth and development of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya and the wider pyrethrum industry.
