By Suleiman Mbatiah
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, has appointed his 2022 running mate, Joyce Kiprop Cheruiyot, as a member of the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA).
The appointment, gazetted on August 15, 2025, will see Cheruiyot serve for a period of three years. The announcement, published through Gazette Notice No. 11215, cites the powers conferred by the Special Economic Zones Act (No. 16 of 2015).
Joyce, who teamed with Kinyanjui in the 2022 Nakuru gubernatorial race, is now set to play a key role in overseeing Kenya’s special economic zones, which are critical for attracting investment and driving industrialization.
Political analysts have described the appointment as a continuation of Kinyanjui’s reliance on close allies in key positions, a move that has stirred political undertones as alignments begin to take shape, two years to the elections.
Yesterday, CS Kinyanjui delivered the keynote address at the County Investment Roundtable in Nakuru, themed “Boresha Biashara Kenya – Unlocking Nakuru’s Potential as a Preferred Investment Destination.”
The forum, organized by KenInvest at Sarova Woodlands Hotel, underscored the Lee-led ministry’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business, fostering strong public–private partnerships, and positioning Nakuru as a premier hub for investment and economic growth.
When pressed by journalists on whether he would contest the Nakuru gubernatorial seat in 2027, Kinyanjui said he would only make such a declaration at the appropriate time, noting that it was still too early.
“I think right now I have a job, and I am very committed to delivering. We normally say you’re judged for your next appointment by how you performed in the one you have. My dream is to do what I can within my space, together with my team,” he stated.
Joyce is a seasoned banker and financial consultant with a solid academic background. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Banking and Finance from Kenyatta University, equipping her with expertise in financial management and advisory services.
While the appointment aligns with legal provisions, it has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising Joyce’s qualifications and others questioning the optics of appointing a former running mate to a state agency under Kinyanjui’s docket.
Joyce’s tenure takes effect immediately. She is expected to advance SEZA’s mandate by promoting investment, fostering industrial growth, and supporting targeted special economic zones to boost Kenya’s overall economic development.