Ruto In Hot Soup Over Executive, PS Picks

President William Ruto risks a court battle over his Executive appointment of Bernice Sialaal Lemedeket as the Accounting Officer of the National Police Service (NPS).

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Eric Theuri, stated on Wednesday, November 2 that he will challenge Sialaal's appointment by the Head of State in a court of law.

Theuri poked holes at the appointment, among three additional picks to the Executive, stating that it went against the law and considering the recent utterances he has made since being sworn in to office on Tuesday, September 13.

"The President cannot lawfully appoint the accounting officer for the National Police in such a manner.

"Especially not after his pronouncements after assuming office. This appointment will be challenged in Court," he wrote.

Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced that Sialaal will also serve as the Principal Administrative Secretary at the NPS.

She worked as the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation and was the TB/HIV Program Advisor at the University of Maryland Global Initiative Kenya.

In March 2022, she was among the candidates who submitted applications to become members of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

She is a holder of a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology, a Master's degree in Project Planning and a Master's degree in Development management. She has over 12 years of experience in the development field with vast experience in community networking, partnership development, project conceptualization and resource mobilization in development.

Her job will entail her keeping the Interior Ministry Cabinet Secretary updated on all financial matters of the Ministry and providing information and reports as may be directed by the Cabinet Secretary.

The appointment of Sialaal is part of Ruto's promise to give independence to the NPS, stating in his inaugural address during his swearing-in that: "Financial independence to the police will give impetus to the fight against corruption, and end the political weaponization of the criminal justice system; an undertaking I made to the people of Kenya."

In a separate statement, Theuri announced that he has contracted a team of lawyers to look into Ruto's nomination of 51 Principal Secretaries (PS).

"The Law Society has appointed a team of Advocates to review the appointment of Principal Secretaries on grounds of gender and regional inclusion," he said.

In the list, 12 women made the cut, making up 23.5 per cent of the nominees. The PS is one of the state's key top public servants, helping Cabinet Secretaries in delivering government services to Kenyans.

During his campaigns, Ruto promised that women would play a key part in his administration. His Cabinet consists of seven women out of 24 appointees, far from his May 2022 promise of including 11 women in the Cabinet.

The women nominated as PSs include:

1. Teresia Mbaika Malokwe (Devolution)
2. Esther Ngero (Performance and Delivery management)
3. Aurelia Rono (Parliamentary Affairs)
4. Caroline Nyawira Murage (Correctional Services).
5. Roseline Njogu (State Department for Diaspora)
6. Veronica Mueni Nduva (State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action).
7. Dr Josephine Mburu (Public Health)
8. Esther Thaara Muhorias (TVETs)
9. Beatrice Inyangala (Higher Education and Research)
10. Susan Mangeni (MSMEs Development)
11. Sylvia Naseya Muhoro (Wildlife)
12. Betsy Muthoni Njagi (Blue Economy and Fisheries).