President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto are now faced with the prospect of losing the power to hire their advisers if new regulations by the Public Service Commission (PSC) are adopted.
The proposal suggests that appointments of special advisers to the President and Deputy President be made by the PSC, which will as well determine their remuneration packages.
Speaking on the new regulations, PSC Chairperson Margaret Kobia stated: “Subject to these regulations, the executive office of the President shall be entitled to such number of advisers as shall be necessary for carrying out the functions of office and as approved by the commission.”
Currently, the President and his Deputy are allowed to hire and fire special advisers at will.
The two top executives had 20 special advisers as of the end of 2014. They are paid from public coffers and enjoy perks including government vehicles, drivers and bodyguards.
The current batch of advisers is tasked with advising the executive on a wide array of areas including politics, agriculture and food security, regional integration, legal affairs and education.
The new regulations are currently the subject of public debate.
If adopted, the proposed regulations will also see the president and his deputy lose powers to hire their own personal staff such as aides, secretaries, drivers and cooks.
Last week, PSC Chairperson Margaret Kobia stated, “The Commission shall appoint personal staff for the President, Deputy President and retired presidents based on an establishment approved by the Commission.”
This would mean that the PSC would be tasked with hiring personal staff for retired Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi as well.
