Why I moved constitutional commissions to presidency – Ruto

The President said the move has so far worked well.

In Summary

• Ruto said it was to make sure all arms of government had access to the collaboration of government working together.

• He said this would help in creating the spirit of working together to achieve the same goal.

President William Ruto with outgoing chairpersons of Independent Commissions and Independent offices at State House Nairobi, on August 20, 2024.
President William Ruto with outgoing chairpersons of Independent Commissions and Independent offices at State House Nairobi, on August 20, 2024.
Image: PCS

President William Ruto has explained why he decided to move the constitutional commissions and independent offices to be under the presidency.

Speaking on Tuesday during the handover of end-of-term reports by Constitutional Commissions and Independent offices at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said it was to make sure all arms of government had access to the collaboration of government working together.

He said this would help in creating the spirit of working together to achieve the same goal.

The President said the move has so far worked well.

“When I made the decision that Constitutional Commissions and Independent offices will be hosted at the presidency under the office of the deputy president, it was because of the importance of making sure all arms of government have equal access to the synergy and workings of government in a manner that promotes the spirit of work towards a common goal in service to the people of Kenya," Ruto said.

“That has worked very well in making sure that despite our independence, it’s also necessary for us to find mechanisms to have a common goal in the service of the people of Kenya.”

Independent Commissions and Independent Offices are currently based under the office of the Deputy President.

He affirmed that the executive is committed to doing its part in supporting all other arms of government, including the independent commissions and offices.

The Head of State insisted that one arm of government obstructing the work of another would only work against the people of Kenya.

Ruto added that the interest of the people they represent and work for is greater than any individual interest or that of any arm of government.

“It is also necessary for all arms of government to also work together in harmony. We must understand that impeding the work of another arm of government undermines the overall interest of the people of Kenya.

“We must support the judiciary to do its function, the judiciary must equally support the executive to do its work and so must the executive support the legislature to appropriate and discharge the mandate assigned to them by the constitution because ultimately the interest of the people of Kenya supersedes the interest of any one of us,” he added.

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