As has been the practice of previous Heads of State, President William Ruto appointed his allies to key positions within the government, upon assuming office.
While rewarding his allies, Ruto revoked previous appointments made by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.
This has raised questions about whom the President can fire or appoint at will.
Kenyans.co.ke compiled a list of powerful individuals whom the President can appoint as provided by the Kenyan Constitution and the State Corporations Act (CAP 446).
According to the Kenyan Constitution Article 132, the President is given the power to appoint six categories of people.
First, the President has power subject to Parliament approval to appoint cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries.
The President is further allowed to appoint other ex-officio members of his cabinet who include the attorney general and secretary to the cabinet.
“The President may appoint high commissioners, ambassadors and diplomatic and consular representatives,” the Constitution further states.
Section 132 of the Constitution further gives the President power to appoint any other state or public officer.
State Officers that the President can appoint include; Judges and Magistrates, Members of Commissions, Holders of Independent Offices, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, commander of a service of the Kenya Defence Forces, Director General of the National Intelligence Service, Inspector and Deputy Inspector General of Police.
While the President can revoke most of his appointments, he cannot directly fire appointments he makes to the Judiciary, Independent Offices and Commissions created through the Constitution. They can only be fired after recommendations from a tribunal.
President William Ruto also wields a lot of power from The State Corporations Act (CAP 446) which allows him to appoint board members of state corporations.
The Act gives President the power to establish a state corporation as a body corporate to perform the functions specified in the order.
On appointments, the Act states, “A chairman shall be appointed by the President who shall be non-executive unless the President otherwise directs.”
The members of the board can either be appointed by the president or cabinet secretary where the state corporation lies.
