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President William Ruto has unveiled seven new state departments, increasing the number of Principal Secretaries to 49—making this the most expansive executive structure since the 2010 Constitution came into force. The move is designed to streamline government operations, align ministries with national development priorities, and optimize service delivery across multiple sectors of governance.
The latest restructuring represents a calculated effort to refine the government's approach to socio-economic development, improve coordination across ministries, and consolidate key initiatives under specialized departments. The newly created offices signal a broader focus on innovation, human rights, aviation, welfare services, and public asset management—key areas deemed critical in driving the nation’s transformation agenda.
This strategic shift also seeks to decentralize administrative oversight, address emerging national concerns, and reinforce President Ruto’s commitment to delivering tangible outcomes under his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The reorganization introduces the following seven departments:
1.Public Investments and Asset Management – Established under the National Treasury to oversee and optimize state assets, manage investments, and ensure fiscal accountability.
2.Government Coordination – Positioned under the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s office to enhance alignment across ministries and state agencies.
3.Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs – Carved out to fortify legal reforms, safeguard human rights, and uphold constitutional integrity.
4.Science, Research and Innovation – Created within the Education Ministry to catalyze scientific progress, innovation, and evidence-based policy development.
5.Aviation and Aerospace Development – Anchored in the Transport Ministry to support aviation growth and the expanding aerospace industry.
6.Special Programmes – Formed under Public Service to handle disaster response, emergency management, and community resilience efforts.
7.Children Welfare Services – Introduced within the Labour and Social Protection Ministry to champion child protection, welfare policy, and advocacy.
The creation of these departments expands the executive to 49 Principal Secretaries, marking a significant increase in the government's administrative capacity. While this reflects a growing ambition to tackle a broad spectrum of developmental issues, it also introduces questions about sustainability, especially given Kenya's ongoing efforts to manage its public wage bill.
However, the administration maintains that these changes are essential to drive long-term policy coherence, facilitate sector-specific development, and address complex, interconnected challenges such as inequality, climate vulnerability, and underinvestment in innovation.
In tandem with the creation of new departments, the President has also introduced or restructured strategic offices within State House and the executive branch. These include:
-Office of Fiscal Affairs and Budget Policy
-Office of Economic Transformation
-Council of Economic Advisers
-Office for National Security Affairs
-Presidential Communication Service
-Office for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
-Office of Climate Change Action
This reconfiguration signals a holistic approach to governance—integrating economic planning, national security, communication, and inclusive policy frameworks under the presidency’s direct oversight.
Despite the President's assurances of efficiency and better service delivery, the expansion of the executive has ignited public debate. With each PS earning a high monthly salary, the cumulative cost raises concerns about fiscal responsibility, especially in the current economic climate.
The administration has countered these concerns by emphasizing that improved coordination, professionalization of the public service, and high-level performance accountability mechanisms will ultimately deliver more value than they cost.
The next phase involves Parliamentary vetting of the newly nominated Principal Secretaries. Once appointed, the PSs will be tasked with operationalizing their departments, developing action plans, and aligning their mandates with the country’s development agenda.
Key areas of focus will include:
-Enhancing public sector efficiency
-Promoting research, science, and innovation
-Strengthening human rights institutions
-Improving children’s welfare systems
-Advancing Kenya’s aviation and aerospace strategy
The true measure of this restructuring will lie in the departments’ ability to drive real progress, foster economic empowerment, and rebuild public trust in state institutions.
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