NAIROBI, September 8 – The Deputy Governor at the Central Bank of Kenya Jacinta Mwatela has been moved from the institution and appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands.
Mwatela’s position was taken over by Dr Hezron Nyangito in changes announced by President Mwai Kibaki on Monday afternoon. Nyangito was until the time of the appointment the PS in the Ministry of Medical Services.
Prof James Ole Kiyiapi was moved from the Environment Ministry to the Medical Services docket, and replaced by Lawrence Lenayapa.
Dr James Nyikal has also left the Ministry of Public Health to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social development. His place at Afya House will now be occupied by Mark Bor who was formerly the PS for Public Works.
Jacinta Wanjala Mwatela was appointed the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya on May 12, 2005.
In March 2006 she was appointed the Acting Governor for one year following the sacking of former governor Andrew Mullei. In both appointments, she is the first woman to serve in those positions.
Mrs Mwatela graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1977 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Administration.
She joined the Bank as a Graduate Trainee on December 1, 1977 and has served in almost all the departments of the Bank.
In her long and distinguished central banking career spanning 29 years, Mrs Mwatela has served as Director in Deposit Protection Fund Board; External Payments and Foreign Exchange Reserves Department; Estates, Supplies and Services Department; and Financial Markets Department.
In addition, Mrs Mwatela has served in senior management positions in Exchange Control; Foreign Operations; National Debt Registry; Banking and Bank Supervision, Departments.
Her last appointment as Director was in the Deposit Protection Fund Board (DPFB) before becoming the Deputy Governor.
She is renowned for her courage, forthrightness and the pursuit of integrity in public service, and is fondly remembered for the uncompromising stand she maintained in the handling of the Goldenberg case, and her eventual eloquent deposition on the issue at the Goldenberg Commission.
Mrs Mwatela is married to Calist Mwatela, the Mwatate MP.
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