Each of the 21 Cabinet secretaries will remain with only one adviser as President William Ruto moves to implement radical austerity measures announced last week.
In a notice on Monday, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei asked Attorney General Justin Muturi and all the CSs to only retain one adviser. They each have two advisers.
“Accordingly, and by way of this circular letter, you are directed to submit to the Public Service Commission the full names of the adviser to be retained, with a copy to this office, by close of business on Thursday, July 11, 2024,” Koskei said.
The move, Koskei said, is in line with the austerity measures announced by the head of state last Friday to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the government.
He said the measures are aimed at restoring faith in public institutions by enhancing accountability, transparency and the strengthening of governance within them.
“By dint of that presidential action, the number of advisers assigned to each Cabinet Secretary has been revised from two to one,” Koskei said.
“Additionally, the number of personal staff attached to you will remain as set out in the public service guidelines, being two staffers.”
He asked the CSs to assess the requirements of their offices and retain one adviser. Any advisers beyond the set threshold will be immediately phased out from the public service.
Last Friday, the President announced a raft of measures to cut down on government expenditures in the wake of sustained street protests against the regime.
Besides slashing the number of advisers, the President also removed the offices of the First Lady, and spouses of the Deputy President and Prime Cabinet Secretary.
The government will also be dissolving 47 state agencies with overlapping and duplicating mandates.
Ruto also suspended non-essential travel for government workers and buying of new cars.
He also dropped the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission estimated was to take at least Sh9.4 million to keep one CAS in office.
“I make this statement to highlight the actions taken in response to overwhelming public feedback in recent days, to fulfil my commitment to continuously and effectively listen to the people of Kenya,” Ruto said.
In a mop-up of all resources to bridge the budget deficit, Ruto further announced confidential budgets will be reduced by 50 per cent.
"Similarly, the budgetary provisions for confidential budgets in various Executive offices, including my office, shall be removed, and the budget for renovations across the government reduced by 50 per cent," he said.
In a separate notice to all state agencies, Koskei asked state officers to adhere to the new government directive that states that no public servant shall participate in public collections (harambees).
“All public officers are required to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct and to secure their strict compliance with the directive as well as compliance by all officers under their supervision, direction and control,” he said.
Koskei asked all the service commissions to establish an institutional framework to monitor compliance with the new government policy.
The framework, he said, was an interim administrative intervention until a law facilitating structures and transparent contribution for public, charitable and philanthropic purposes is enacted.