‘Failure is not an option’, Ruto tells newly-appointed Cabinet as they assume office

President William Ruto has assured members of his Cabinet of his full support as they assume office on Thursday after their swearing-in.

Speaking after the 24 Cabinet appointees took the oath of office at State House Nairobi, President Ruto said the 22 Cabinet Secretaries, Attorney General and Secretary to the Cabinet had no option but to serve the electorate to their best.

“In the discharge of your duties, in the various ministries that you will be serving you will have my wholesome support because you have no other option than to succeed. Failure is not an option, we have a country to look after, we have a plan to implement and we have the people of Kenya watching us,” said the head of state.

He further told the Cabinet members to stick to the dictates of the rule of law in the exercise of their duties to avoid turning Kenya into a country “run on the whims of individuals”.

“I expect each and every one of you as I do of all public servants, to uphold the constitution and the rule of law to be at the front and center of our government. That should be the guiding principle,” the president said.

In the same light, President Ruto also cautioned the Cabinet against regional favoritism and negative ethnic politics

“You are going to serve the people of Kenya and you have been appointed to the Cabinet of Kenya. I know there are regional and community persuasions but I haven’t appointed a Cabinet for any region or county or any community. I expect you to respect your oath of office and serve Kenyans equally," he said.

The President further called for mutual respect between the Cabinet and elected officials and noted that the CSs will from time to time be appearing to the parliament to present their plans and progress of their dockets and to be held accountable on the same.

“My intention and that of my deputy is to run a clear and accountable government, we have no grey areas, and we have nothing to hide. We want to serve Kenyans in a manner that upholds integrity,” he said.