Silverio Omari
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has stated that he has no advisors to submit to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for retention, in accordance with the austerity measures introduced by President William Ruto to address the current economic situation.
A circular from Felix Koskei, Head of Public Service, dispatched to all Cabinet Secretaries, revised the number of advisors assigned to each from two to one. Consequently, all Cabinet Secretaries were required to submit the name of the advisor to be retained by Thursday, July 11.
Duale responded by revealing that his ministry did not employ advisors, as all officials already possessed the necessary training to provide strategic advice. “I have no advisers to submit as the men and women at the helm of Defence headquarters leadership have the required training, knowledge, and experience to give me strategic advice and guidance to steer the Ministry,” he said.
His remarks sparked online debate, with some Kenyans questioning whether the Head of Public Service had accurate information on the staffing of President Ruto’s cabinet. Others criticized the CS for sharing confidential information with the public, noting that the letter he shared was marked confidential.
Koskei had instructed the Cabinet Secretaries to dismiss one advisor and retain the other as part of the austerity measures aimed at enhancing 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 the discharge of your portfolio mandate. Any advisors beyond the set threshold will be immediately phased out from the Public Service,” part of the letter read.
“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 include dissolving at least 47 state corporations with overlapping functions, suspending the hiring of Chief Administrative Secretaries, removing budgets in the Offices of the First and Second Lady, reducing the budget for government renovations by 50 percent, and suspending the purchase of new vehicles for one year except for security agencies.
