By Malachi Motano
David Obonyo has become the new Co-operative Commissioner replacing Geoffrey Njang’ombe who is set to retire later this year after an illustrious career in civil service spanning to over 32 years.
Njang’ombe succeeded Didacus Ityeng’ who was appointed under acting capacity as Commissioner in 2019, which he held the position for months after the retirement of Mary Mungai, who was the first woman Co-operative Commissioner.
Obonyo, who started his career as a civil servant in 1990, was the Deputy Commissioner in charge of finance and marketing at the State Department for Co-operative Development, a position he served until his appointment. He also served as the acting Secretary for Ethics Commission for Co-operative Societies (ECCOS).
The new commissioner holds a Master’s Degree of Arts, Rural Economics and Co-operation from the Bundelkhand University, India, Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Sociology and Political Science and a Diploma in Industrial Relations.
Obonyo has been serving in the co-operative administration for over 27 years, serving as Head of Marketing Department, Co-operative Finance and banking, Co-operative County Commissioner, Embu County, Provincial Co-operative Officer in Eastern Province and District Co-operative officer in Machakos, Maragua, Nyandarua, and Kiambu.
According to the Public Service Commission, Obonyo’s appointment as a substantive Co-operative Commissioner followed a competitive recruitment process. Mr. Obonyo is going to be the third person to occupy the influential position at the helm of the State Department for Co-operative (SDC).
