Ruto Makes Radical Change To Cabinet Meetings

President William Ruto has announced that beginning the next Cabinet meeting, the use of papers, while the meeting is in session, will not be allowed.

Speaking at the Cabinet retreat in Nanyuki on Friday, January 6, the head of state noted that he aims to run the Cabinet in line with the digital space, thus the introduction of paperless methods in future meetings.

"From the next Cabinet meeting, we will be paperless. Again, we are going to run our Cabinet on the basis of the digital space. Progressively it will be expected for government in every department that we can leverage technology to make the government much more efficient.

President William Ruto attends the Cabinet retreat in Nanyuki on January 5, 2023 alongside DP Rigathi Gachagua and CSs Musalia Mudavadi (prime) and Njuguna Ndung'u (Treasury). /WILLIAM RUTO

"Sending a letter takes longer than sending an email; the email arrives instantly...a letter tells us that we have to get a messenger and another motorbike and another messenger on the other side and the reception is on the other side and all manner of bureaucracy. I think it is time Kenyans got value for the resources they put at our disposal to run their affairs," he said.

He also challenged the CSs to monitor the progress of government programmes begun by the previous administration so that when complete, they best serve the people of Kenya.

Additionally, he also tasked the Cabinet members to stretch their limits to cover every county in order to ensure efficient service delivery.

"You have been taken through the programme of budgeting. The next budget must reflect the priorities that we have and carry the completion of all the other programmes that are in the best interest of the people of Kenya.

"I expect to see CSs work beyond the villages. I expect to see the CSs in Turkana and other places. We must appreciate Kenya and what it looks like," he said.

At the same time, he directed the Cabinet Secretaries (CS) to provide specific timelines to be met regarding his campaign pledges so that the fruits of his manifesto can be harvested.

He noted that it was important to have timelines for the targets the government set for itself, even though President Ruto assured that he has promises to Kenyans that need to be fulfilled. 

"We expect timelines on our manifesto. When are you going to finish these programmes and actualise these commitments?

"Be it in three months, six months and one year we should have a picture of how things look at," he ordered.

To the CSs and PSs who also were present for the retreat, the Head of State called upon them to protect the interests of Kenyans, giving instructions to them regarding the situation across the country before signing off anything.

"My request to the CSs and PSs, we must protect the interests and resources of Kenyans who pay taxes. Before you sign off anything, your position must be guided by the interests of Kenyans, some of who don't have a tie or shoes. We must protect their interests," he said.

CSs Moses Kuria and Soipan Tuya attend their retreat in Nanyuki on January 5, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO