Ruto Allows Ndii, Malala To Sit In Cabinet Meetings

"Advisors Monica Juma (National Security Advisor), David Ndii (chairperson of Council of Economic Advisors) and UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala will also attend."

Cleophas Malala and David Ndii take their oath of secrecy at a Cabinet meeting at State House on June 27, 2023. /PCS

Malala's new role will see him tasked with championing the party's manifesto in the decision-making processes.

The move by Ruto is almost similar to that one of former President Uhuru Kenyatta who allowed former Jubilee Secretary General Rafael Tuju to attend Cabinet meetings during his second term.

In his position, Tuju - who served as a CS without a portfolio - was tasked with monitoring the performance of Cabinet Secretaries from a third person's view.

According to Article 152 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya - the Cabinet consists of the President, the Deputy President, the Attorney-General and CSs. The Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet also attend the meetings, meaning Ruto's move is expected to intensify opposition, especially from the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

Other Cabinet Decisions

Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a special committee on pending bills dubbed the Pending Bills Verification Committee which will be tasked with the auditing of liabilities for the period between 2005 and 2022.

In a meeting chaired by President Ruto at State House, the Cabinet noted that pending bills remain a sticky issue, with the National Government having pending bills from June 2005 to June 2022 standing at Ksh481 billion while counties owe Ksh159.9 billion.

The Committee will consist of the Attorney General, the State Department of Roads, the State Department of Public Works, the State Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.

Representatives of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPA) will also be part of the team.

The Committee will examine and submit interim reports to the Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) upon verification. The Government will honour the obligation in question in a move aimed at establishing the integrity of all bills and cushioning small enterprises against liquidity inadequacies.

Crucially, the committee will propose a mechanism to stop future pending bills, with an agreement that the Committee will present its final report within a year.

Cleophas Malala with Cabinet Secretaries during a Cabinet meeting at State House on June 27, 2023. /PCS

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of decentralised offices of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice to ensure that services are accessible to the people at the grassroots at a minimal cost.

"It also consented to the transmission and introduction of the Tribunals Bill, 2023, to Parliament. If enacted, the Bill will rationalise and regulate the administration and functions of Tribunals, establish the Tribunals Registry and ensure independence and impartiality in their operations," added the Cabinet despatch.

The Cabinet also confirmed the hosting of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Kenya, furthering Government’s commitment to affordable and quality healthcare. The importance of working with the private sector in the areas of Universal Healthcare informed the decision to host the Gates Foundation.

The Cabinet was also apprised of the status of the Digital Superhighway and digitalization of Government services ahead of the launch of over 5,000 fully digitized services on Friday, June 30.

Further, the meeting was briefed on the drought and food situation in the country, with the forecast indicating an improved situation.