Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei has recently addressed the swirling rumors surrounding a potential reshuffle of Principal Secretaries (PSs) in President William Ruto’s administration. The senator’s remarks come amidst speculation that the President may be planning significant changes in his cabinet, potentially removing up to 15 PSs as part of a broader strategy to streamline government operations.
During a panel discussion on the show Daybreak, Senator Sigei downplayed these reshuffle rumors, suggesting that they might be premature. He emphasized that the president’s current focus is on addressing pressing issues and regaining lost ground following recent widespread protests led by Generation Z activists.
Senator Sigei provided context for his assertions by referring to a recent breakfast session at State House. This meeting, attended by President Ruto, his deputy, and key cabinet members including CSs and PSs, was described by Sigei as primarily a bonding exercise. He clarified that this session was intended to strengthen the cohesion of the newly appointed cabinet and brief them on their roles in restoring public trust in the government.
“The session we witnessed at State House was not about reshuffling positions,” Sigei remarked. “It was a bonding session, aimed at familiarizing the new cabinet members with their responsibilities and fostering a collaborative environment. The notion that the president is contemplating a major reshuffle does not seem to align with the current focus on settling into their roles and addressing the concerns that have arisen over the past months.”
Senator Sigei’s comments came in response to a report, which suggested that President Ruto is contemplating a substantial reduction in the number of PSs. The report indicated that the president is considering cutting the number of PSs from 51 to 36 as part of an austerity measure aimed at reducing government expenditure and increasing efficiency. Furthermore, it was speculated that opposition leader Raila Odinga and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi might be given opportunities to nominate individuals for these roles.
This potential reshuffle is reportedly a reaction to the recent Gen-Z-led protests that called for greater accountability and transparency from government officials. The protests, fueled by frustrations over perceived government opulence and inefficiency, have put pressure on President Ruto to take decisive actions to restore public confidence in his administration.
Despite the report’s claims, Senator Sigei’s perspective reflects a broader sentiment among some political analysts and insiders who believe that the focus should be on stabilizing the government and addressing the immediate concerns of the public. The senator’s views suggest that any major personnel changes might be secondary to the current efforts of the administration to navigate through a period of heightened public scrutiny and unrest.
In the broader context, the possibility of reshuffling the PSs could be seen as part of President Ruto’s strategy to recalibrate his administration and align it more closely with his governance goals. However, the lack of concrete evidence and the senator’s reassurances suggest that the president’s current priorities may lie more in reinforcing the existing team and addressing pressing issues rather than initiating significant changes.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the coming weeks may provide further clarity on whether a reshuffle of Principal Secretaries will take place. For now, Senator Sigei’s comments offer a snapshot of the prevailing view within some quarters of the administration, emphasizing a focus on stability and cohesion over immediate personnel changes.
