Ruto Appoints Raila Nephew Jaoko Oburu as Special Advisor on Economic Empowerment
Jaoko Oburu Odinga, son of Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, was appointed by President William Ruto on Tuesday, April 22, to the position of Special Advisor for Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Executive Office of the President.
Jaoko, who is also the nephew of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, shared the news on his X account, expressing his gratitude to both President Ruto and Raila for his new appointment.
“I wish to take this opportunity to give special thanks to H.E. President William Samoei Ruto for granting me an opportunity to serve Kenyans by appointing me to serve in the capacity of Special Advisor, Economic Empowerment, and Sustainable Livelihoods. Thank you, Your Excellency,” Jaoko announced.
He also extended his appreciation to Raila Odinga, highlighting the former Prime Minister’s role in fostering a collaborative political environment.
“Thanks also go to the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga, for showing his faith in me and for creating a conducive environment for Kenyans from all walks of life to work together for our beloved country, Kenya, in nation building. Thank you, Sir. God bless Kenya,” Jaoko added.
In his new role, Jaoko is expected to provide high-level strategic advice aimed at enhancing national economic inclusion and reducing poverty.
His mandate will primarily focus on policy advisory and strategic planning, where he will guide President Ruto and senior government officials on economic empowerment strategies for marginalized, vulnerable, and underserved populations.
Jaoko will contribute to the design and review of national policies and programs targeting job creation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, he will oversee flagship initiatives related to youth and women empowerment, access to finance (such as microloans and government funds), informal sector development, green jobs, and community-based enterprises.
His responsibilities will also involve coordination with ministries such as Treasury, Trade, and Labour, as well as county governments, development partners, and civil society organizations to ensure the effective implementation of economic empowerment projects.
A key aspect of his role will be resource mobilization, where Jaoko will focus on securing both domestic and international resources for economic empowerment initiatives. He will also work to establish partnerships with the private sector, donors, and NGOs to expand sustainable livelihoods programs.
Moreover, Jaoko will monitor and assess the progress of government programs related to economic inclusion, ensuring that data-driven decisions are made and that regular updates on key outcomes and challenges are provided to the President. He will be responsible for identifying any gaps and recommending solutions to enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Advocacy for inclusive economic growth will also be a crucial part of Jaoko’s duties. He will represent the President’s office in national forums, international conferences, and high-level stakeholder engagements. His role will encompass practical applications such as the implementation of the Hustler Fund and youth programs, including the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA).
Before his appointment, Jaoko was the Chairperson of the Global Chair of Friends of Baba Africa (FOBA), a lobby group that supported Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful bid to become the African Union Commission Chairperson. In addition to his advocacy work, Jaoko served as the Director of Roads and Public Works in Siaya County during Governor Cornel Rasanga’s administration. In 2023, he was also shortlisted for the position of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Coordinator by the Siaya County Public Service Board.
This appointment marks a significant step in Jaoko’s public service career, where he is poised to play a vital role in advancing President Ruto’s economic empowerment agenda for Kenya.
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Ruto Appoints Raila Nephew Jaoko Oburu as Special Advisor on Economic Empowerment
