Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Wednesday revealed that he had no advisors in his ministry to trim as directed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
Koskei was acting on President William Ruto’s orders to ensure austerity measures in all State and public offices.
According to the Defence CS, the people who advise him are servicemen and women under the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) payroll.
“I have no advisers to submit as the men and women at the helm of Defence headquarters leadership have the required training, knowledge and experience to give me strategic advice and guidance to steer the Ministry,” he stated.
In a letter dated Monday, July 8, Koskei had mandated the Cabinet Secretaries to submit the names of advisors to be fired by Thursday, July 11.
President Ruto had earlier admitted that his cabinet and administration in general had an abundance of advisors whose cost-benefit could be hard to determine.
While addressing the nation on Friday, July 5, the Head of State revealed that he would rely on a leaner team for efficiency.
The President further stated that there was a need for fiscal discipline to match the sacrifices Kenyans make while paying increased taxes.
According to the Head of Public Service, Cabinet Secretaries are given two advisors and this number will be reduced to one as per the President’s directive.
“Additionally, the number of personal staff attached to you will remain as set out in the Public Service Commission guidelines being 2 staffers,” he added.
CS Duale did not reveal if he also utilised servicemen and women as personal staff or if he would be forced to wean his staff as ordered by the President.
On what will happen to the Kenyans getting fired, Koskei directed, “Any advisors beyond the set threshold will be immediately phased out from the Public Service.”
