Lawyer files petition to stop President Ruto from appointing more advisors

Filed by lawyer Vincent Lempaa Suyianka, the petition also seeks to bar the government from paying salaries to the 21 advisors currently in office.

Suyianka argues that there is no legal framework or regulations outlining how many advisors the President can appoint, creating a loophole that allows the head of state to flood the civil service with political appointees. 

These individuals, he claims, are brought on board without adherence to the values and principles governing public service.

“Since the Kenya Kwanza government assumed office after the 2022 General Elections, the President has appointed a parallel civil service that duplicates the functions of the official civil service,” the court documents state.

The petitioner contends that these political appointees are drawing billions of shillings in salaries and allowances at the expense of taxpayers.

“Pending the hearing and determination of the petition, the 1st to 21st interested parties should be barred from receiving any salaries and allowances from the 2nd respondent,” reads the notice of motion.

Suyianka further argues that the President has filled and created the advisory positions outside the three constitutionally recognized methods, rendering the offices null and void.

He also notes that there was no public notice or consultation regarding the creation of these offices, nor were citizens invited to give views on their viability.

“There was a general lack of transparency in the creation of, and recruitment into, these advisory offices,” he asserts.

Questions have surrounded the increasing number of President William Ruto’s advisors at State House, with the number doubling despite the Head of State promising to reduce it by half.

From about 7 advisors, the number has risen to about 17 in just over 10 months, with more signings during the broad-based exchange programme.