Eyes on PSs, security chiefs after Ruto’s Cabinet bloodbath

Focus has now shifted to the Principal Secretaries and top security chiefs in the country after President William Ruto disbanded the Cabinet.

Ruto, while sacking the cabinet secretaries, said he will announce more reform measures in his administration. 

“I will announce additional measures in due course,” he said on Thursday while announcing the sacking of the Cabinet.

The declaration signalled more changes that may claim more top officials, with PSs and security bosses in focus.

The head of state has been under intense pressure to dissolve the Cabinet, cut down on the number of PSs and sack security bosses.

Currently, there are 51 PSs, a number considered ‘too many’ for a country with a struggling economy.

Some of the PSs have also been accused of incompetence.

“Honestly, do we need 51 Principal Secretaries? We don't. I'm urging my colleagues that if we agree, we can form two-thirds, amend the Constitution to only accommodate a maximum of 14," Nyamira Senator Okong'o Omogeni said during a debate in the Senate.

Even though the Constitution caps ministries at 22, it is silent on the number of PSs.

In the previous government under President Uhuru Kenyatta, there were 44 PSs – seven more than Ruto’s.

Last year, Ruto publicly admitted that some of his PSs were clueless about their dockets.

"I call many PSs and ask them what is going on in their departments but they have no clue," he said.

On Friday, Police IG Japhet Koome resigned after weeks of public pressure over killings, injuries and abduction of Kenyans who participated in the anti-government protests.

Kenyans, including MPs, called for his resignation following police brutality that saw at least 41 protesters killed.

“Order IG Japet Koome to resign and take responsibility for the deaths of the 42 young Kenyans who lost their lives because they were exercising their constitutional rights to peaceably assemble, demonstrate and picket," Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said.

“Mr Koome must leave office immediately for this country to enjoy peace and tranquillity,” Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale urged the President to restructure the security organ.

Senator Samson Cherargei also criticised Koome for keeping quiet as anti-government demos continue to cause havoc in various parts of the country.

“The inspector general of police at least should have updated the county on the security situation,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot expressed concern over Koome's lack of public communication during critical moments.

“I am yet to hear the voice of the Inspector General, I am deeply troubled by that, it cannot be right,” he said.

Besides Koome, DCI boss Mohamed Amin and National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Noordin Haji were also on the spot over security mess.

Several people have been abducted and held incommunicado for several days as the state cracked down on protesters.

Last month, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua demanded Haji’s resignation for giving haphazard intelligence that led to protesters breaching Parliament.

He blamed the NIS for the anti-government protests which he said led to deaths and destruction of property.

“Had Noordin Haji done his job, we would not be here today. He has no capacity, he is out of the country most of the time on business trips and the country is on its own and my boss is exposed,” Gachagua said.

On Thursday, Ruto sacked all the CSs save for Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi.

The drastic move comes hot on the heels of sustained pressure from the youth.

Some of the issues the youth youth want addressed include corruption, impunity and incompetence.

Others are the opulent lifestyles of public officers, unemployment and high cost of living.

While addressing the Nation at State House, Ruto said he had listened to the Kenyans leading to a holistic appraisal of the performance of his Cabinet and its achievements and challenges.