On Wednesday, President Ruto banned all state officers from participating in Harambees.
In a memo dated July 10 and obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the President issued the directive through the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
The directive will extend to all state officers including those who are officers in Service commissions such as the Parliamentary, Judicial and Teachers Service Commission.
“In that regard, and conscious of the duty to ensure that the spirit of Harambee continues to propel its noble ideals while addressing concerns on accountability and ethical conduct within the public service.
“ It is notified that His Excellency the President has directed that: "NO State officer and public servant shall participate in public collections (Harambees) henceforth,” read the memo in part.
Further, the memo disclosed that the government would be collaborating with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to enforce a framework that will monitor the state officers.
Koskei also revealed that the government would be working to create a new law that would facilitate charitable activities for State Officers.
“This framework is an interim administrative State Intervention until a law facilitating structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable, and philanthropic purposes is enacted,” stated Koskei.
The Government’s directive will also extend to all state officers in county governments.
This new ban comes moments after the government started enforcing the purge on the number of advisors.
In another memo, dated July 8, Koskei explained that the Presidency had revised the number of advisors assigned to each Cabinet Secretary, trimming them from two to just 1.
Additionally, the number of personal staff attached to the CSs will remain as set out in the Public Service Commission guidelines which is two (2) staffers.
