State House Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has mandated all Cabinet Secretaries and State officials to reduce the number of personal assistants and advisers to one by Thursday this week. In a letter addressed to the Cabinet on Monday, July 8, Koskei referenced President William Ruto’s directive from last Friday, which aimed to cut the number of government advisers by 50% to improve efficiency and reduce public expenditure.
Koskei emphasized that this move aligns with the goal of ensuring the proper use of public funds, restoring public confidence, and increasing government accountability.
“The Address outlined policy interventions aimed at ensuring that the sacrifices made by taxpayers are matched by fiscal discipline in the public service. The measures announced also seek to restore faith in public institutions by enhancing accountability, transparency, and the strengthening of good governance within them. In that regard, it is notified that the President directed that the number of advisers in government be reduced by 50% with immediate effect,” Koskei stated.
He further explained that the number of advisers assigned to each Cabinet Secretary has been reduced from two to one, and the number of personal staff will remain as two, per Public Service Commission guidelines. Koskei instructed Cabinet members to assess their office needs and indicate which adviser or assistant they would retain. The extra staff will be phased out by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
“Consequently, you are requested to assess the requirements of your office and indicate the adviser you would wish to retain to support you in the discharge of your portfolio mandate,” Koskei directed. “Accordingly, and by way of this circular letter, you are directed to submit to the Public Service Commission the full name of the adviser to be retained, with a copy to this office by the close of business on Thursday, 11th July 2024.”
President Ruto last week committed to implementing changes in the Cabinet and announced austerity measures across various government agencies. This was in response to the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024, following pressure from Gen Z protests. Ruto also suspended the filling of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions and reduced the number of advisers attached to the Executive by 50%.
Additionally, Ruto announced the removal of budget for the operations of the First Lady, the Spouse of the Deputy President, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary. He also removed budget provisions for confidential budgets in various Executive offices, including his own, and reduced the budget for government renovations by 50%.