Gov’t Defends Increased Number of PSs
On Tuesday, March 25, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura disclosed why Principal Secretary nominations were upscaled.
He stated that the establishment of State Departments was tied to the government’s ability to provide services to residents.
Mwaura was speaking to a colleague from Ukambani radio stations.
He stated that President William Ruto’s recent government upheaval, which included the creation of seven new State Departments, was beneficial to Kenyans rather than detrimental.
“The move by President Ruto to create new State Departments was for the betterment of Kenyans. They were created because the government wants to improve service delivery to Kenyans,” Mwaura noted.
Hon Isaac Mwaura: Akamba Meyiw'e Me Silikalini Nundu Silikali ya Kenya Kwanza Niyakila Mundu
— Geoffrey Moturi – Kawangware Finest ™ (@cbs_ke) March 25, 2025
Utongoi Wa Ruto pic.twitter.com/2mauSSd3bJ
“Even before the nominations, there was no prior indication that the PSs will decrease. The increase was according to how the government sees fit to provide services to its citizens,” he added.
However, the new roles impose a greater burden on Kenyan taxpayers.
A PS in Kenya earns a monthly salary of Ksh792,519, for an annual cost of Ksh9.5 million per PS.
With the new entrants, the public will pay Ksh66.6 million in salary per year. This means the total yearly pay bill for the 57 state agencies exceeds Ksh765 million.
On Thursday, March 20, Ruto reshuffled six PSs and nominated 14 new PSs, with half of them set to serve in the new State Departments.
The newly constituted state departments include the State Department for Public Investments and Asset Management, which will report to the National Treasury.
Cyrell Wagunda Odede has been nominated to lead it.
Other new offices include the State Department for National Government Coordination under the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, to be headed by Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim.
Additionally, the State Department for Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs under the Office of the Attorney General (Judith Pareno), and the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation within the Ministry of Education (Abdulrazak Shaukut).
The Ministry of Roads and Transport will now have a State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, where Teresiah Mbaika is the nominee.
The Public Service Ministry will oversee the newly established State Department for Special Programmes, with Ismael Madey nominated to head it.
The State Department for Children Welfare Services under the Ministry is the final of the seven.
For example, personnel in crucial ministries such as the Interior, National Treasury, and Foreign Affairs are given an additional responsibility allowance of Sh100,000 per month, which adds up to Sh1.2 million per year for each.
PSs are also entitled to official cars with engine displacements of up to 3,000cc, which the government will fully maintain.
Their medical coverage is among the most extensive in the public sector, with up to Sh10 million for inpatient care, Sh300,000 for outpatient services, and additional benefits for maternity, dental, and optical care.
The PSs will be vetted before approval by the National Assembly.
Gov’t Defends Increased Number of PSs
