Ruto Ally Speaks on Rumours of 15 PSs Being Sacked
Reports from the capital on Monday indicate that President William Ruto may soon dismiss at least 15 Principal Secretaries (PSs) as part of a significant government reshuffle. However, a close associate of the President has dismissed these rumors, calling them baseless.
Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei refuted these speculations during a Daybreak panel, stating that recent meetings involving President Ruto and his Cabinet are focused more on fostering unity than on a major shakeup.
This discussion followed a breakfast gathering at State House, where Ruto met with newly appointed Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) and PSs.
Sigei clarified that the President is currently prioritizing the aftermath of recent protests led by Gen Z activists.
He suggested that the State House meeting was aimed at strengthening relationships and reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring public confidence.
“I would say no,” Sigei stated.
He added, “When we saw the President with the entire team of CSs and PSs at the breakfast meeting, there was no indication that the agenda included decisions on who would stay, move, or leave.”
The senator’s remarks come amid media reports claiming that Ruto is considering reducing the number of Principal Secretaries from 51 to under 36.
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This potential reduction is part of an initiative to streamline the administration and reduce expenses as the President seeks to implement austerity measures.
According to The Standard, Ruto plans to merge some State Departments and reshape his Cabinet as part of a broader strategy to boost efficiency and manage his government more effectively. This move would also open the door for appointing new PSs and restructuring current roles.
During the meeting, Ruto stressed the importance of unity and a shared focus on serving Kenya. “We are one team, and we must work as one,” Ruto said. “It’s not about individual interests; it’s about Kenya.”
However, the President’s ally provided further clarity, stating, “What we understand is that the conversation was more about bonding among the newly appointed CSs and understanding the broader agenda of the government. I don’t believe any discussions about reshuffling were on the table; right now, the focus is on stabilizing from where we were two months ago.”
President Ruto’s ‘broad-based’ government already includes several high-ranking ODM members in key positions.
Hassan Joho was nominated as Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs; Wycliffe Oparanya was chosen as Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives; John Mbadi was appointed to lead the National Treasury; and Opiyo Wandayi was named head of the Energy and Petroleum Ministry.
These appointments signify a major political shift, with President Ruto bringing in allies of Raila Odinga, the opposition leader he defeated in the 2022 election.
The move is viewed as a strategic effort to calm the unrest that had disrupted economic activities across the country.
Ruto Ally Speaks on Rumours of 15 PSs Being Sacked
