Former Taita-Taveta MP Basil Criticos, a key ally of President William Ruto, has been handed a state job at a key agency.

In the latest appointments by the head of state, Criticos has been named the new chairperson of the Kenya Trade Network Agency Board.

He will serve in his new capacity for a period of three years.

"I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Basil Criticos to be the chairperson of the Kenya Trade Network Agency Board, for a period of three years, with effect from the 26th May, 2023," a gazette notice dated May 22 reads in part.

Criticos and President Ruto have been long-time friends. Their friendship dates back to the days of Kanu.

He represented Taita-Taveta Constituency for two terms and was elected under the Kanu party.

During the 2022 campaigns, Ruto (then DP), while addressing the controversy surrounding his 2,536-acre Mata Farm in Taita-Taveta County, said he genuinely owned the land.

He explained that the land was given to him by Criticos after he helped him settle a debt he owed the Agricultural Finance Corporation.

"Mnajua hata mimi ni mzee wa Mata pale. Huyu mjumbe wenu wa zamani Basil Criticos aliniambia nimlipie deni alikuwa nayo kule AFC alafu akanikatia kashamba kake kadogo pale nikawa mwenyeji uko," Ruto said in Taita-Taveta then.

This translates to, "You know I am also an elder in Mata. Your former MP Basil Criticos asked me to pay a debt he owed AFC (Agricultural Finance Corporation) and then he gave me a small piece of his land and I'm now a resident."