President William Ruto is finalising a reshuffle of Principal Secretaries, with at least 15 facing the axe.
Impeccable sources close to the presidency exclusively inform the Star the shake-up is driven by performance concerns, a desire to build a team for the 2027 elections, and the ongoing controversy surrounding the hiring process, particularly the inclusion of candidates over the mandatory retirement age.
The impending reshuffle has created uncertainty among PSs, overshadowed by the ongoing interviews for replacements.
The Public Service Commission interviews, scheduled to conclude tomorrow, have raised concerns due to the inclusion of several applicants aged 60 and above, some of whom have already retired from other public service positions.
This contradicts President Ruto’s July directive that public service jobs would no longer be held by retirees.
Despite the directive, the shortlist includes Anne Makori, former chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, who recently retired and was appointed to the council of Moi University.
Also shortlisted are Cyrell Odede, who retired as deputy commissioner for intelligence at the Kenya Revenue Authority in 2022, ambassador Galma Boru, a retired Foreign Affairs diplomat, and Dr Patrick Mwenda, the 60-year-old secretary for the Housing department, who is expected to retire within two months.
Sammy Wakiaga, who retired from the National Intelligence Service, and Shaukat Abdulrazak, with over 30 years in academia and public service, are also on the list.
The PSC has not responded to inquiries regarding the age concerns, despite raising similar issues in other institutions in a recent compliance report. That report revealed 1,423 civil servants are currently working beyond the retirement age of 60.
The PSC’s own Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual of 2016 mandates retirement at 60.
The PSs reshuffle, initially delayed by the impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, is expected to significantly reduce the number of positions.
Sources suggest the current 51 slots could be reduced by 15, through mergers and conversions of some departments into directorates.
This would leave approximately 36 positions for the President to fill.
The selection process is further complicated by political considerations.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s allies are reportedly eyeing 10 slots. Regional balance and age are also expected to be key factors in the President’s decisions.
PSs perceived to be allied with Gachagua, those who have clashed with their Cabinet Secretaries, or those deemed slow in implementing the President’s agenda are reportedly at risk.
Several current PSs are considered likely to retain their positions based on performance or political influence.
This group includes Raymond Omollo (Interior), Korir Sing’oei (Foreign Affairs), Julius Korir (Water), Teresia Mbaika (Devolution), Julius Bitok (Citizen Services), Chris Kiptoo (Treasury), James Muhati (Economic Planning), and Patrick Mariru (Defence).
The shortlist of candidates for the reduced number of PS positions reveals a distribution across several counties.
Meru has fi ve candidates, Kisii six, Wajir fi ve, Siaya three, Taita Taveta three, Migori two, Kirinyaga two, and Lamu has one.
Other counties represented include Kitui, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Garissa, Bomet, Nakuru, Narok, Mandera, Nyeri, Nyandarua, and Muranga.
Concerns about regional balance in public service appointments have been raised, with some regions feeling marginalised.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has called for complete overhaul of the state and public service system, demanding the removal of all PSs, including those aged over 60 in the Cabinet, and an audit of capacity and integrity across the public service.
The upcoming reshuffle is poised
to significantly reshape the leadership of Kenya’s civil service, with
implications for both policy implementation and the political
landscape leading up to the 2027
elections.
