Ruto appoints Francis Kibera to succeed Uhuru’s sister at National Fund for Disabled
By Aloys Michael, September 14, 2025President William Ruto has appointed Francis Ndung’u Kibera as the new Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK).
The appointment was formally announced in Gazette Notice No. 12836, dated September 12, 2025, and is effective immediately.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause 11(b) of the Deed and Declaration of Trust, 1981 of the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Francis Ndung’u Kibera (Prof.) to be the Chairperson,” the gazette notice read.
Kibera, a respected academic and public servant, brings years of experience in leadership and institutional governance. His appointment is seen as part of Ruto’s broader strategy to strengthen the country’s support structures for persons living with disabilities.
Succeeds Kristina Pratt
He takes over from Kristina Kenyatta Pratt, who was appointed to the position in 2002 and served the disability sector for over 30 years.
Pratt met the head of state on April 28, 2025, to present a status report of the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya.
On April 24, 2023, Ruto met Kristina Pratt and other members of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya at State House, Nairobi.
During the meeting, Pratt briefed Ruto on her agenda and her organisation’s role in advocating for the rights of physically challenged individuals in the country.
The board also shared some of their achievements and long-term goals with the Head of State in their first meeting since the transition of power.
“The government will support people living with disabilities and the institutions that work to empower them,” a dispatch from State House read in part.
NFD is a State agency that works to promote the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities by providing financial support, mobility aids, and grants to individuals and institutions.
Kibera’s tenure begins at a time when calls for increased inclusivity and accessibility for disabled persons are growing across the country.
At the same time, Chief Justice Martha Koome has made a series of appointments, reappointments and revocations in the latest Kenya Gazette issue.
The CJ extended the appointment of members to the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) Standing Committee on Court Users for another period of three years.
“The Terms of Reference for the Committee remain the same. In discharge of its mandate, the Committee may, on a need basis, identify and invite relevant technical expert(s) on a specific issue or agenda,” the notice read in part.
Additionally, Koome appointed Catherine Mburu (Judiciary), Maureen Wangari Maina (IPOA) and Mirriam Wachira (Justice Nest) to join the committee and revoked the 2022 appointment of Justice Emily Ominde.
In the NCAJ Working Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Koome extended their tenure for another three years, appointed Bridgitte Ndong, Sammy Linus, Evelyn Wambui Mwangi and Hezekiah Aseso Omollo to join the committee and revoked the appointment of Rose Mosero, Nyanje K. Kitsao, Andrew Opiyo and Stardust Mwende.
The tenure of the NCAJ Working Committee on Review of Laws on Sexual Offences and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) was also extended, alongside three more appointments: Lydia Mulei, Phylis Muriuki and Ann Wanjiku Mwangi and two more revocations of Armstrong Rotich, John Ngugi and Fatuma Mohammed.