Debasso’s rejection makes him the fifth individual in four months to turn down an appointment by President Ruto.
Following his dismissal as the chairperson of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) board by President William Ruto, Hussein Tene Debasso has reportedly become the latest individual to decline an appointment by the Head of State.
Debasso’s appointment as KNTC chair was revoked on November 15, and he was replaced by former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1) (a) of the State Corporations Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint- Evans Odhiambo Kidero (Dr) to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya National Trading Corporation, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from November 15, 2024. The appointment *of Hussein Tene Debasso is revoked,” read part of a gazette notice as of Friday, November 15.
However, Debasso was appointed to be a member of the National Youth Service Council, up to February 9, 2026, with effect from November 15, 2024. The appointment of Ali Sahal Idris was revoked.
Hussein Tene Debasso who has rejected President William Ruto’s appointment to the National Youth Service (NYS) Council. /NATION MEDIA GROUP
As first reported by the Nation, Debasso declined the appointment on Tuesday, November 19, citing personal reasons that he stated only he knows.
“I Hussein Tene Debasso, immediate chairman, Kenya National Trading Corporation, wish to thankfully acknowledge my appointment as member of the Board, National Youth Service vide Gazette Notice of 15th October 2024,” he stated, adding “Owing to personal reasons, I have written to the President of the Republic of Kenya declining the appointment.”
Debasso’s appointment followed a legal dispute that led to the suspension of his previous role as chair of the Kenya National Trade Corporation (KNTC) Board. In February 2023, the Employment and Labour Court suspended his appointment following a petition filed by Paul Rukaria, who challenged his removal as KNTC chair.
Rukaria, a retired commissioned officer of the Kenya Defence Forces, had been appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 5, 2022, four days before the presidential elections, for a term of three years.
He moved to court after his dismissal, citing that there were no consultations with the State Corporations Advisory Committee before the revocation of his appointment.
Debasso’s removal from the KNTC board followed his opposition to a directive by Investment, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, which sought the appointment of Lucy Anangwe as the KNTC’s managing director. He had refused to approve Anangwe’s appointment after her name surfaced in a special audit by the Auditor-General over the Ksh6.5 billion edible oil procurement scandal.
At the time of the scandal, Anangwe was KNTC’s Head of Finance and Account Manager before being promoted to General Manager of Strategy, Risk, and Compliance.
Despite the edible oil scandal, Debasso’s rejection makes him the fifth individual in four months to turn down an appointment by President Ruto. It all began when Roots Party Leader George Luchiri Wajackoyah’s 2022 presidential running mate Justina Wamae on Monday, July 8 turned down her appointment by President Ruto as part of a 20-member task force to address human resources for health in the country.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, declined her appointment to the Presidential task force which was to carry out a forensic audit of the country’s public debt, with LSK terming the task force itself unconstitutional.
Earlier in October, former Machakos Town Member of Parliament Victor Munyaka announced that he had rejected an appointment by President Ruto as the Chairperson of the Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre for three years.
Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga declined an appointment to the Nairobi Rivers Commission where she was meant to be a member. Despite her replacement being named, Kenyans are now looking at this as a sign of no confidence in the Kenya Kwanza regime.
Millicent Omanga with President William Ruto at State House on April 15, 2024. /MILLICENT OMANGA