President Ruto reorganises gov't, spells out distinct roles between Gachagua, Mudavadi

Hours after the conclusion of the four-day Cabinet retreat, President William Ruto released the Executive Order detailing the structure of his administration. The timing is seen to be critical since his cabinet is now fully constituted and ready to get down to business and fulfill his government's campaign pledges.

The Executive Order appeared to review the structure of government, placing the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary under the Executive Office of the President.

Thirteen offices are listed under the office of the president including chief of staff and head of the public service, secretary to the cabinet, state house comptroller, economic, security, women rights and climate change advisors, economic transformation, head of the presidential communication service and the statehouse spokesperson.

And in what appears to be a tactical strategy of minimizing friction between the office of the deputy president and the chief prime minister, his deputy’s responsibilities were clearly spelled out.

Other than deputizing the president, Rigathi Gachagua will chair cabinet committees and oversee the implementation of decisions passed by cabinet, he will retain the role of managing relations between the two levels of government and chair the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IEBC) and also coordinate various committees.

Though part of Rigathi’s responsibilities entail presiding over public sector reforms, questions abound over the listing of the coffee sub-sector reforms committee under key institutions in his office yet there was a substantive Agriculture Cabinet Secretary.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary will oversee the Public Service Performance Management Unit and the government delivery services. Besides assisting the president and his deputy, Mudavadi will also work with the Prof. Kithure Kindiki-led ministry to supervise ministries and state departments, and coordinate the government legislative agenda with the House leaders in close consultation with the Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Aurelia Rono.

Attorney General Justin Muturi will be the nexus between the Executive and the Judiciary and ensure any legal issues limiting government operations are addressed.

In the Executive Order, President William Ruto reverted the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) from the Interior Ministry to the Kipchumba Murkomen-led Transport Ministry.

To enable his government to achieve its national climate action goals, a dedicated state department has been created under the ministry of environment to ensure a targeted approach.

Departments under the Health Ministry have also been split to have Eng. Peter Tum take up the State Department of Medical Services and Dr. Josephine Mburu in charge of Public Health and Professional Standards.