President Ruto establishes 7 new State departments

President William Ruto has effected a major reorganisation of government by establishing seven new State Departments and transferring key functions within the Executive.

In a circular dated June 9, 2025, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced the new changes through Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, notifying all Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Heads of State Corporations of the President’s realignments.

The new order repeals Executive Order No. 2 of 2023 and codifies several government structural changes as previously communicated, directing and coordinating the functions of Ministries and Government Departments.

The seven new State Departments established include: State Department for National Government Coordination, State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management and State Department for Special Programmes.

Others are the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, the State Department for Children Services and the State Department for Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs.

Another key highlight in the Executive Order was the transfer of the functions of the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management to the Executive Office of the President.

The Executive Order also reflects new appointments to the Cabinet and senior ranks of the Executive, reassignments of State Officers, and changes in the top command of the National Security Organs, as well as the enactment of new laws and statutory amendments over the last two years.

The reorganisation affects a wide range of Ministries, with updated structures and State Departments now falling under specific portfolios.

The Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes will now oversee the State Department for Public Service & Human Capital Development and the State Department for Special Programmes.

The Ministry of Roads and Transport, on the other hand, will supervise the State departments for Roads, Transport as well as Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Similarly, the newly formed State Department for Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs has been assigned to the Office of the Attorney-General.

“The organisation of the Executive Office of the President, including all offices thereunder, is as set out in the Order. The Executive Order does not, in any way, vary, impede, or invalidate the ongoing reforms of State Corporations,” read the order.

The National Treasury was also ordered, “To take note of any changes in Ministerial Portfolios and Mandates, and to align the ministerial budgets for FY 2025/26 in line with the functions set out in the new Order.”