President William Ruto has appointed Sitati Olando as the Acting Head of the Government Delivery Unit (GDU). The announcement was made through a letter signed by Principal Administrative Secretary Arthur Osiya, on behalf of Chief of Staff Felix Koskei.
Olando will now report to Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency.
Leadership Transition
Before this promotion, Olando worked as the Director of Delivery in the GDU. His elevation immediately ended the acting role of Lee Kyonze.
Ruto’s office also confirmed that the recruitment of a permanent Head of the GDU is underway. This process will be conducted in consultation with the Public Service Commission.
Mandate of the GDU
The Government Delivery Unit plays a vital role in tracking the progress of flagship projects. It is responsible for:
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Problem-solving
- Accountability and reporting
- Coordination across ministries and counties
The GDU ensures that projects are delivered on time and updates the Head of State on progress.
Who is Sitati Olando?
Olando is a seasoned professional with almost 20 years of experience in the public, private, and development sectors. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
His academic credentials include:
- Ph.D. candidacy in Project Management (Financing)
- Master of Business Administration in Management
- Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management
He also has deep knowledge of deliverology, a global framework used to improve government efficiency.
Past Leadership Challenges
Olando becomes the third leader of the GDU. His predecessor, Peter Mbae, resigned in January 2024 after citing difficult working conditions that made his role “untenable.”
With Olando now in charge, the government hopes to restore stability and strengthen delivery of President Ruto’s development agenda.
