Uhuru’s CSs to remain in office until President Ruto names his Cabinet - Kinyua

Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries who were appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta are set to remain in office until his successor William Ruto names their replacements.

This, according to a circular released by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, is to ensure there is no vacuum during the intervening period of the transition from Kenyatta to President Ruto’s administration.

“As earlier notified vide our circulars Ref. No. OPJCAB.42/IA of 2O' June, 2022 and Ref No. CAS/GEN.3/16Vol.III/(22) of 3P August, 2022, the transition from the Fourth Administration to the Fifth Administration continues apace and shall only conclude when appointments to the Cabinet and the senior ranks of the Executive are concluded,” Kinyua stated.

“It is therefore reiterated that the tenure of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries currently in Office will only lapse on appointment and swearing-in of a successor Cabinet Secretary or Principal Secretary as the case may be by the Head of State and Government; or upon a reorganization of Government by His Excellency the President that affects a particular docket.”

The Public Service boss further stated that, in the meantime, the roles of the CSs and their respective PSs remain confined to general administration only.

This means they can neither make appointments to any State boards, nor effect payments exceeding Ksh.50 million without the approval of the National Treasury.

Kinyua further stated the foreign travel for the CSs and PSs is hereby suspended unless approved by President Ruto, as he prepares to unveil his team.

This comes amidst prior confusion as a group of the CSs, some of whom long stopped reporting to their offices daily, said the term of a CS ends with the outgoing president.

These CSs said they no longer have executive power delegated to them by a president; as such PSs are responsible for running ministerial departments.