Ruto to lead 2-day retreat to reflect on Kenya Kwanza's one year in power

The event dubbed the 'National Executive Pitstop retreat,' has been promoted as a chance for the cabinet to reflect on Kenya Kwanza's first year in office.

The retreat began on Thursday with digital registration followed by an opening session led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, who gave introductory remarks.

According to the schedule for the day, Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau will provide an overview of the pitstop before Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto make their opening remarks.

The retreat, which comes a year into the Kenya Kwanza administration, comes amid concerns about the rising cost of living and excessive taxation.

Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, is scheduled to open the first panel of the day, focusing on Kenya Kwanza's journey one year on, before Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire takes on the UDA scorecard.

Rigathi Gachagua, the second-in-command, will close the day's first session with a 'heart to heart' session moderated by Defence CS Aden Duale.

Before the attendees break for lunch, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, who previously served as the government spokesperson, will kick off the second session, dubbed "Communication, tell your story."

The afternoon session on Thursday will be chaired by CS Ababu Namwamba and his Lands Ministry counterpart Alice Wahome.

CS Namwamba will moderate two sessions on Strategy to Execution, with Prof. Machuki - Senior Lecturer at UON handling the conceptual framework and Jane Karuku - MD and EABL CEO handling the practical side of the strategy to execution.

Chair of the Presidential Council of Economic Advisors, David Ndii, will put a cap on the first day of the retreat with a session on sector commitment chaired by CS Wahome. 

He will focus on "working tea and refining of commitments" before the dinner break. 

Dr Irene Asenga will lead a session on the Mainstreaming of the Kenya Kwanza Plan on Friday before Finance CS Njuguna Ndungu speaks on the Budget Revenue Outlook paper.

The two sessions will be led by Cabinet Secretary for Micro and Small Enterprise and Cooperatives Simon Chelugui.

Thereafter, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki will chair three sessions on cybersecurity, the Whole Government approach and performance contracting.

Mutheu Khimulu, Simon Angote, and Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management Moses Kuria will lead the sessions.

The retreat will also include presentations from the president's executive office on government issues by Felix Koskeo, as well as Cabinet business by Mercy Wanjau.

They will be presided over by the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry Rebecca Miano. 

The retreat's final sessions will be chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, who will present sector commitments, Kenya Kwanza's low-hanging fruits, and a pièce de résistance dubbed "reflections" by Ambassador Francis K. Muthaura.

President Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua will both deliver closing remarks, ending the two-day event.