'I have no advisors,' Duale responds to plan to scrap ministers’ staff

In a circular dispatched to all CSs from Felix Koskei, Head of Public Service, the number of advisors assigned to each Cabinet Secretary was revised from two to one. Hence, all CSs were required to submit the name of the advisor to be retained by Thursday, July 11. 

In response, Duale revealed that his ministry did not have advisors since all officials possessed the requisite training to provide strategic advice to his office. 

"I have no advisers to submit as the men and women at the helm of Defense headquarters leadership have the required training, knowledge and experience to give me strategic advice and guidance to steer the Ministry," he said. 

His remarks elicited debate online with Kenyans questioning whether the Head of Public Service had the required information on the staffing of President Ruto's cabinet. Others also criticised why the CS would share confidential information with the public. This is after the CS shared the letter and had the confidential tag on it. 

Koskei had informed the CSs to fire one advisor and retain the other as part of the austerity measures to enhance fiscal discipline in the public service. 

"Consequently, you are requested to assess the requirements of your office and indicate the advisor you would wish to retain to support you in discharge of your portfolio mandate. Any advisors beyond the set threshold will be immediately phased out from the Public Service," read part of the letter. 

"Accordingly, and by way of this circular letter, you are directed to submit to the Public Service Commission the full name of the advisor to be retained, with a copy to this Office by the close of business on Thursday, July 11, 2024."

Other austerity measures involved dissolving at least 47 state corporations with overlapping functions, suspending the hiring of Chief Administrative Secretaries, removal of budgets in the Offices of the First and Second Lady, reducing the budget for renovation in government by 50 per cent and suspending the purchase of new vehicles for one year except for security agencies.