Former Cabinet Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action Aisha Jumwa was on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 received at the Kenya Roads Boards offices as she officially started her role as the chairperson of the board.
Jumwa, who was graced by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davies Chirchir, is set to start her three-year tenure amid a backlash with calls for her resignation from the board.
Speaking moments after signing the relevant statutory documents, she reiterated her commitment to advancing Kenya’s road infrastructure.
The former CS particularly shared her vision for extending the development and modernization of Kenyan roads.
Road development
“It is with great humility and gratitude, I step into the role of Chairperson of @KRB_Kenya. Today’s inaugural ceremony, graced by Cabinet Secretary for @Roads_KE @davis_chirchir, marks a key milestone in my commitment to advancing Kenya’s road infrastructure,” Jumwa said.
The signing of the statutory documents marks my commitment to advancing the growth and modernization of our road networks. I am honored and excited to collaborate with my colleagues at @KRB_Kenya and all sector stakeholders to fulfill our mandate.”
She was appointed to head the parastatal by President William Ruto following a reshuffle in various parastatals on Friday, January 17, 2025.
Her appointment has however elicited mixed reactions with concerns raised about her professional alignment with the Kenya Roads Board Act No. 7 of 1999.
Engineers reservations on Jumwa
In a statement on Monday, January 27, 2025, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) registered their reservations with the appointment and called for the immediate revocation.
The association president Shammah Kiteme argued that Jumwa’s appointment violated the Kenya Roads Board Act.
“The Act mandates that the non-executive chairman be appointed from among the members nominated by the organizations listed in the First Schedule. However, Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana does not represent any of these organizations, raising questions about the adherence to statutory provisions in her appointment,” Kiteme stated.
The engineers’ body emphasized that given KRB’s core mandate of road development and maintenance, the chairperson should preferably have a background in civil, structural, or transport engineering, a facet Jumwa lacked.
“The KRB is heavily involved in engineering work, such as overseeing the condition of roads, advising on road construction standards, and ensuring that projects are carried out effectively from a technical standpoint,” the statement noted.
According to parliamentary records, Jumwa completed her Kenya Certificate of Secondary School in 2011 at Nyali Senior School.
She holds a certificate in County Governance from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) in 2012.
