Just three months after announcing a sweeping plan to streamline his government by dissolving and merging state corporations, President William Ruto has created seven new Principal Secretary (PS) positions, a move that has drawn scrutiny and raised questions about the administration’s fiscal priorities.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, President Ruto’s decision resulted in the creation of seven new State Departments, substantially increasing the number of Principal Secretaries and, consequently, the financial burden on Kenyan taxpayers.
The total number of PS positions now stands at 51.
These new State Departments include:
1. State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management: within the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning, headed by Cyrell Wagunda Odede.
2. State Department for National Government Co-ordination: under the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, led by Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim.
3. State Department for Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs: within the Office of the Attorney General, with Judith Pareno at the helm.
4. State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation: within the Ministry of Education, led by Abdulrazak Shaukut.
5. State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development: within the Ministry of Roads and Transport, headed by Teresiah Mbaika.
6. State Department for Special Programmes: within the Public Service Ministry, led by Ismael Madey.
7. State Department for Children Welfare Services: within the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, headed by Carren Ageng’o Achieng.
The financial implications of these appointments are significant.
According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), a Principal Secretary earns a gross monthly salary of Ksh792,519, translating to an annual salary of Ksh9,510,228.
This expansion of the government workforce comes shortly after President Ruto’s administration announced a plan to drastically reduce the number of state corporations.
In a Cabinet meeting held on January 21, 2025, the government approved the merger, dissolution, and privatization of numerous state entities.
The reforms, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs, followed an assessment by the National Treasury of 271 state corporations.
The government resolved to merge 42 corporations, privatize 16, and dissolve 9.
The Cabinet specifically recommended dissolving nine corporations whose mandates could be absorbed by existing ministries:
1. Kenya Tsetse Fly and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council.
2. Kenya Fish Marketing Authority.
3. Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa.
4. President’s Award – Kenya.
5. Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.
6. Kenya National Commission for UNESCO.
7. Kenya Film Classification Board.
8. National Council for Nomadic Education.
9. LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority.
“Nine State Corporations whose mandates can be performed under the Ministry are proposed for dissolution after the functions are transferred back to the Ministry or other relevant State Corporations,” a statement from the Cabinet said.
The apparent contradiction between these two policy decisions has prompted observers to question the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and streamlining operations.
Martin Oduor
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